Ornate Hawk Eagle
by: Craig Thompson [caption id="attachment_4977" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Photo provided by: Ellen GennrichPhoto taken by: Nito Paniagua[/caption] There’s a new sheriff in town and this one has style. Sporting a black, spiky crest, zebra-striped legs and rich rufous trim, the Ornate Hawk Eagle is one of the American tropics most beautiful raptors. When seen standing, members of this genus (Spizaetus) appear to be wearing finely knit socks, an image conveyed by dense feathers running the length of their legs. But don’t be fooled by fancy plumage. This bird plays hardball. Accomplished at...