Semiplumbeous Hawk
VU

Semiplumbeous Hawk

Leucopternis semiplumbeus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiplumbeous_hawk

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Semiplumbeous Hawk faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation throughout its Central American range, with primary forest habitat being converted to cattle pastures and agricultural plantations. The species' dependence on intact forest canopy for hunting makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as even small clearings can disrupt its foraging behavior. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns in already fragmented cloud forest ecosystems where the hawk occurs.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Semiplumbeous Hawk inhabits humid lowland and montane forests from sea level to 1,500 meters elevation, showing a strong preference for primary forest with dense canopy cover. It occurs in both cloud forests and tropical rainforests across Central America, requiring large territories of continuous forest for successful breeding and foraging.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Semiplumbeous Hawk classified as Vulnerable?
Semiplumbeous Hawk is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Semiplumbeous Hawk faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation throughout its Central American range, with primary forest habitat being converted to cattle pastures and agricultural plantations. The species' dependence on intact forest canopy for hunting makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as even small clearings can disrupt its foraging behavior. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns in already fragmented cloud forest ecosystems where the hawk occurs.
Where does Semiplumbeous Hawk live?
Semiplumbeous Hawk occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Semiplumbeous Hawk?
The main threats to Semiplumbeous Hawk are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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