An overview of the diet of the Great Black Hawk Urubitinga urubitinga (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) and report of new prey species

Knowledge on the natural history and ecology of several species of birds of prey is limited, despite information on diet is important to understand ecological and functional processes as well as coevolutionary aspects of predator-prey interactions. This study aimed to review the taxa predated by the Great Black Hawk Urubitinga urubitinga based on data available in the literature and digital media databases. We also report the first record of predation of the Neotropic Cormorant Nannopterum brasilianus and siluriform fish by U. urubitinga and describe its feeding behavior. The taxonomic composition of the diet of the Great Black Hawk includes reptiles (35% of the taxa reported), followed by birds (22%) and fish (20%). We found that snakes and fish are important prey items of the Great Black Hawk. However, this bird of prey has a varied diet, which includes several other species. We highlight the importance of collaborative citizen science to understand the diet of birds of prey and emphasize the importance of the least possible interference during leisure activities in natural areas.