A new subspecies of Gurney's Hawk Buteo poecilochrous

Abstract:

A new subspecies of Gurney's Hawk Buteo poecilochrous is recognised for populations of the species from northern Peru and western Bolivia to northwest Argentina and northern Chile. Specimen analysis reveals that they differ in size and plumage from northernmost populations, in south Colombia to south Ecuador. The new subspecies is slightly smaller in body measurements and in definitive plumage has the grey-feathered areas darker and more slate-coloured than the nominate subspecies. Furthermore, pale- and dark-morph females possess a more extensive dorsal patch; the pale morph has white central underparts and finely barred or vermiculated sides, whilst in juveniles, in general, these areas are warm brown with rusty or cinnamon markings. In the nominate form, by contrast, the underparts are usually darker brown with creamy or whitish markings. © British Ornithologists' Club 2009.

Año de publicación:

2009

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus