[order] ACCIPITRIFORMES | [family] Accipitridae | [latin] Chondrohierax wilsonii | [authority] Cassin, 1847 | [UK] Cuban Kite | [FR] Milan de Cuba | [DE] Kuba-Langschnabelweih | [ES] Elanio Piquiganchudo | [NL] Cubaanse Wouw
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
Members of the genus Chondrohierax are medium-sized kites with long wings and tail. The bill is large, blunt, compressed, and very deeply hooked. It is specially adapted for dealing with large snails. In common with many kites, the feet are weak, and the claws slender, but sharp. The plumage is extremely variable with several phases in both adult and young. The genus is related to Leptodon and Aviceda, but is more specialised. It is widespread in tropical America, Cuba and Grenada. There are two species, but within that species there is probably more individual variation in colour and in size of bill than in any other species of diurnal raptor.
Physical charateristics
38-43 cm. Stocky kite with massive yellow bill. Male dark grey above, whitish barred grey and rufous below, grey tail with three black bars and pale tip. Female brown above, coarsely barred rufous below. Immature black above, white below extending onto hindneck. In all plumages distinctive oval wing shape and barred underwings.
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 38 | cm | size max.: | 43 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 0 | days | incubation max.: | 0 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
| broods: | 0 | eggs min.: | 0 | ||
| eggs max.: | 0 |
Range
North America : East Cuba. Chondrohierax wilsonii was formerly fairly widespread on Cuba, but is now confined to a tiny area in the east of the island between Moa and Baracoa, and possibly other parts of Holguin and Guantanamo provinces. It is Cuba’s rarest raptor and is apparently on the verge of extinction.
Habitat
It is now confined to montane gallery forest, where it feeds chiefly on tree snails Polymita and slugs in the understorey. Historically, it inhabited xerophytic vegetation and montane forest
Reproduction
No data
Feeding habits
This species is thought to feed mostly on snails.
Conservation
This species has declined rapidly and now has an extremely small population, confined to a single area. There is a continuing decline in numbers and hence it qualifies as Critically Endangered.
The decline is mainly attributed to habitat destruction and alteration caused by logging and agricultural conversion. Farmers persecute the species because they (mistakenly) believe that it preys on poultry. Harvesting has apparently reduced numbers of tree snails, and thereby food availability. The species is suspected to be declining owing to the reduction of its prey base, destruction of habitat and lack of formal protection.
The decline is mainly attributed to habitat destruction and alteration caused by logging and agricultural conversion. Farmers persecute the species because they (mistakenly) believe that it preys on poultry. Harvesting has apparently reduced numbers of tree snails, and thereby food availability. The species is suspected to be declining owing to the reduction of its prey base, destruction of habitat and lack of formal protection.
Migration
Sedentary in all of its range.
Distribution map
