Amarakaeri

Amarakaeri is a genus of small to medium-sized birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, native to the forests of Southeast Asia. The name "Amarakaeri" is derived from the Malay words "amar," meaning "black," and "kaeri," meaning "to return," reflecting the species' black plumage and their tendency to return to the same roosting sites year after year. The genus includes two recognized species: Amarakaeri flavirostra and Amarakaeri javanensis.

Amarakaeri birds are known for their distinctive black plumage, which is a result of melanin, a pigment produced by their skin cells. They have a relatively short, broad tail and a hooked beak, which is adapted for tearing flesh from their prey. Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, which they hunt by perching and waiting for their prey to come within striking distance.

Amarakaeri birds are typically solitary, except during the breeding season. They build their nests in tree cavities or on cliff ledges, and the female lays a clutch of two to three eggs. The incubation period is around 35 days, and the chicks are fed by both parents. Amarakaeri birds are known for their loud, distinctive calls, which are used to communicate with each other and to mark their territory.

Amarakaeri birds are currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, but their populations are threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation and human encroachment. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitats and ensure the survival of this unique genus of birds of prey.