The Galapagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) is a large, powerful bird of prey endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It has a dark, chocolate-brown plumage that can appear nearly black, with a slightly lighter brown underbelly. Adult hawks have a yellowish to grayish beak with a black tip, strong talons, and piercing dark brown eyes. Juveniles, in contrast, have mottled brown and white feathers, helping them blend into the landscape. They are highly skilled hunters, often seen soaring over the islands, searching for small mammals, lizards, and insects, and are known to occasionally scavenge. As apex predators in their environment, Galapagos hawks play a vital ecological role. They exhibit unique social behavior, sometimes hunting and living in groups, with several males cooperating to court a single female.
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