Solitary Eagle Buteogallus solitarius

Rare. Very large, short-tailed eagle of highland and foothill forest. Like many hawks, soars mainly in late morning and is very rarely seen perched. Many reports of Solitary Eagle refer to misidentified Common Black Hawk, which also has blackish plumage and a single white tail band on its short tail. The eagle is much larger, with thicker legs, and feet that almost reach the tail tip in flight. Adult Solitary is slaty gray (vs. blackish on Black Hawks). Immature has diffusely patterned brownish tail and dark thighs, unlike black hawks.