Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae)

Red-backed Hawk (Buteo polyosoma) - HBW 2, p. 183

French: Buse tricolore German: Rotrückenbussard Spanish: Busardo Dorsirrojo
Other common names: Juan Fernandez Hawk (exsul)

Taxonomy: Falco polyosoma Quoy and Gaimard, 1824, Falkland Islands.
Forms superspecies with B. poecilochrous, with which sometimes considered conspecific; much remains to be resolved about taxonomy of these species. May also be closely related to B. galapagoensis and B. albicaudatus, and all four sometimes included in superspecies; said to replace B. albicaudatus at medium altitude. Race exsul may be approaching species status. Nominate race includes possible races erythronotus, aethiops and peruviensis. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: