Is the Zone-Tailed Hawk a Mimic of the Turkey Vulture?

Abstract

The uncommon Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) differs from related hawks and closely resembles the common Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) in color, shape, and manner of soaring. Several observations indicate that a foraging B. albonotatus ordinarily soars with vultures. Once a hawk was seen to dive at prey from such a group of vultures. It is suggested that B. albonotatus soars close to and dives on animals which have become accustomed or habituated to the repeated passing of the inoffensive vulture. It may also be that animals would sound the alarm or mob the hawk if it did not resemble a vulture. To determine whether B. albonotatus is actually an aggressive mimic of C. aura it is necessary to observe further the foraging behavior of the hawk and to test lizards and other possible prey for tendency to habituate to the vulture