Birdfinding.info ⇒  A highly localized endemic form of Broad-winged Hawk, confined to Antigua.  Fairly common and conspicuous in its tiny range.  As the only resident raptor on a small island, it has adapted to occupy a wider set of habitats than related forms.  Often seen perched on utility wires and other manmade structures.

“Antiguan Broad-winged Hawk”

Buteo platypterus insulicola

Endemic to Antigua, where it occurs in all types of wooded and semiopen habitats.

Identification

Resembles other forms of Broad-winged Hawk, but smaller and paler.  Adults tend to retain markings typical of the immature plumages of other forms: spotted underparts and a distinct whisker streak.

It is the only hawk that normally occurs on Antigua, so identification is usually straightforward.

“Antiguan Broad-winged Hawk,” B. p. insulicola.  (Dickenson Bay, Antigua; February 12, 2011.)  © Mark Stevens

“Antiguan Broad-winged Hawk,” B. p. insulicola.  (St. Paul, Antigua; August 16, 2013.)  © Cesar Castillo

“Antiguan Broad-winged Hawk,” B. p. insulicola.  (Dickenson Bay, Antigua; February 12, 2011.)  © Mark Stevens

“Antiguan Broad-winged Hawk,” B. p. insulicola.  (Sir Viv Richards Stadium, Antigua; May 15, 2011.)  © Steve Ray

“Antiguan Broad-winged Hawk,” B. p. insulicola.  (Christian Valley, Antigua; February 14, 2014.)  © Stephen Gast

“Antiguan Broad-winged Hawk,” B. p. insulicola.  (St. Paul, Antigua; November 28, 2018.)  © Mike Bertram

Notes

Monotypic form, one of three potentially distinct forms of Broad-winged Hawk.

References

eBird. 2019. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, N.Y. http://www.ebird.org. (Accessed April 15, 2019.)

Ferguson-Lees, J., and D.A. Christie. 2001. Raptors of the World. Houghton-Mifflin, Boston.

Lindsay, K.C., and J. Bacle. 2010. Ecological Characterization of the Body Ponds Watershed (report to Environmental Tourism Consulting). http://www.irf.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/EcologicalCharacterizationBodyPondsWatershedAntigua_Lindsay_2010.pdf.

Raffaele, H., J. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and J. Raffaele. 1998. A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.

Riesing, M.J., L. Kruckenhauser, A. Gamauf, and E. Haring. 2003. Molecular phylogeny of the genus Buteo (Aves: Accipitridae) based on mitochondrial marker sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 27:328-342.

Riley, J.H. 1908. Notes on the Broad-winged Hawks of the West Indies, with Description of a New Form. Auk 25:268-276.

Vilella, F.J. and D.W. Hengstenberg. 2006. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus brunnescens) movements and habitat use in a moist limestone forest of Puerto Rico. Ornitología Neotropical 17: 563-579.