OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Geranospiza ("crane hawk") caerulescens ("ceruleanish")
Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025
Weight: 273-430g / Length: 38-54cm / Wingspan: 76-111cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Despite the name perhaps seeming to imply they feed on cranes when viewed in correlation with European species such as the sparrowhawk, it is actually descriptive referring to their long legs which also along with a form of "double jointedness" are used to reach into tree cavities to extract hiding prey, particularly small vertebrates. Only one species is currently recognised, but historically three species were considered valid, and this stance is apparently still supported.
Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Geranospiza
SUBSPECIES: G. c. livens, G. c. nigra, G. c. balzarensis, G. c. caerulescens, G. c. gracilis, G. c. flexipes
COSTA RICA - Spanish - azor zancón ("stilt hawk")
Widespread but scarce at low altitudes
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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