The bicolored hawk Accipiter bicolor is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in forest, woodland, second growth, plantations, and wooded savannah in southeastern Mexico, Central America, and northern and central South America as far south as northern Argentina. Though generally uncommon, it is the most common species of Accipiter in most of its range. Forest disturbance and fragmentation negatively affect the habitat and quantity of the bicolored hawk, which is most abundant in primary undisturbed forest or riparian forest. There are fewer hawks in disturbed habitats such as forests that have been logged, and even fewer in those fragmented habitats that provide greater than 66% forest cover. These hawks are rarely present in forests that provide less than 66% forest cover. The bicolored hawk is difficult to detect due to its shyness and inconspicuousness. Because of this behavior, the bicolored hawk may be more common than it seems. These hawks capture prey in a stealthy manner by flying through dense vegetation to ambush unsuspecting prey. They may also capture prey through aerial pursuit after inconspicuously sitting and watching their target. At times, the bicoloured hawk may hunt in pairs. Most commonly, it feeds on smaller birds such as thrushes and small doves but has also been known to consume small mammals including bats and reptiles. Several instances where the hawks attack groups of squirrel monkeys or tamarins have been witnessed.
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