The Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles, and harriers. It occurs in the Americas, including the Rio Grande Valley, Mexico, Central Americal and tropical South America.
It is a mid-sized, slender raptor with an invariably striped belly and banded tail but there is probably more individual variation in color and in size of bill than in any other species of diurnal raptor. Birds from beneath can look blackish or gray (especially males) and brown or brick-red (females) variously. This renders species identification at times extremely difficult. The down curved hook at the tip of the beak is apparent on perched and low-flying birds.
When it finds a tree snail it holds it with its talon and uses its beak to pry open the shell.
This was photographed at the Arenal Observatory.
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