Variable Hawk

Variable Hawk

Buteo polyosoma

30–40% · Possible
overall probability at Cajas National Park
186 Verified records at Cajas National Park
March Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The variable hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) is a polymorphic species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is widespread and often common in open habitats in western and southern South America, including the Falkland Islands. Its taxonomy is disputed, with some splitting it into the widespread red-backed hawk (G. polyosoma) and the Puna hawk or Gurney's hawk (G. poecilochrous) of the central and north Andean highlands, but the differences between the two are unclear. Most recent authorities have supported the lumping together of the two hawks although the issue still is controversial. On the contrary, the rare taxon from the Juan Fernández Islands is relatively distinctive, and possibly worthy of species recognition as the Juan Fernández hawk (B. exsul). In this article and most current accounts, the three races are regarded as subspecies. Wikipedia →

30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Variable Hawk sighting in Cajas National Park, based on 186 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Cajas National Park

Harris' Hawk
LC

Harris' Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parabuteo unicinctus

Insufficient data
Gray-backed Hawk

Gray-backed Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Leucopternis occidentalis

Insufficient data
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
LC

Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geranoaetus melanoleucus

<5% · Rare
Sharp-shinned Hawk
LC Endemic

Sharp-shinned Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Accipiter striatus

Insufficient data
Cinereous Harrier
LC

Cinereous Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus cinereus

Insufficient data
American Swallow-tailed Kite
LC

American Swallow-tailed Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elanoides forficatus

Insufficient data
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

Insufficient data
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

<5% · Rare
Andean Condor
VU

Andean Condor

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vultur gryphus

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

30–40
Jan
30–40
Feb
40–50
Mar
20–30
Apr
20–30
May
30–40
Jun
20–30
Jul
10–20
Aug
10–20
Sep
40–50
Oct
20–30
Nov
30–40
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Lauca National Park 🇨🇱 Chile
40–50%
2 Península Valdés 🇦🇷 Argentina
30–40%
3 Cajas National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
30–40%
4 Huascarán National Park 🇵🇪 Peru
20–30%
5 Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park 🇨🇱 Chile
10–20%
6 Nahuel Huapi National Park 🇦🇷 Argentina
10–20%
7 Amboró National Park 🇧🇴 Bolivia
<5%
8 Paracas National Reserve 🇵🇪 Peru
<5%
9 Podocarpus National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
<5%
10 Puracé National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
<5%
11 Madidi National Park 🇧🇴 Bolivia
<5%
12 Tierra del Fuego National Park 🇦🇷 Argentina
<5%
13 Torres del Paine National Park 🇨🇱 Chile
<5%
14 Los Nevados National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
<5%
15 Machalilla National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Insufficient data
16 Cordillera Azul National Park 🇵🇪 Peru
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Variable Hawk in Cajas National Park?

About 32% of wildlife watchers report a Variable Hawk sighting in Cajas National Park, based on 186 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Variable Hawk in Cajas National Park?

March has the highest sighting rate for Variable Hawk in Cajas National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Cajas National Park