[2][3] It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

[4] The white-rumped hawk was previously placed in the large genus Buteo but a 2009 paper provided the evidence to move it to genus Parabuteo, joining Harris's hawk (P. unicinctus) there.

Their tail has a narrow grayish-brown band at its midpoint and their thighs are feathered rufous.

The species inhabits the interior and edges of dense subtropical and tropical forest and also the Chaco in the east.

[8] The white-rumped hawk's breeding season appears to vary geographically, spanning at least February and March in Colombia and possibly June to January in Ecuador, and including October in Brazil.

One described nest was a shallow cup of sticks lined with green leaves placed 22 m (72 ft) above the ground in a pine tree.