Bat Falcon
Falco rufigularis
The Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis) is a uncommon falcons and caracara found in 21 countries, weighing about 164 g. The bat falcon is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras.
About the Bat Falcon
The bat falcon is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Mexico, Central America, Trinidad, and every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The bat falcon is 23 to 30 cm (9.1 to 12 in) long. Males weigh 108 to 150 g (3.8 to 5.3 oz) and have a wingspan of 51 to 58 cm (20 to 23 in). Females weigh 177 to 242 g (6.2 to 8.5 oz) and have a wingspan of 65 to 67 cm (26 to 26 in). They have long wings and a longish tail with a square tip. The sexes have similar plumage. Adults have blue-black head and upperparts with grayish edges on the feathers from the upper back to the uppertail coverts. Voice: The bat falcon is vocal "in breeding season, especially near nest, in contacts with other raptors, and even when attacking prey." Its main call is a "rapid shrill screaming" kee-kee-kee.. or kew-kew-kew..; the male's is higher pitched than the female's. Other calls include "an even higher and thinner "tsee-tsee-tsee...
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see it
The Bat Falcon can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Bat Falcon?
- The bat falcon is 23 to 30 cm (9.1 to 12 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Bat Falcon?
- The Bat Falcon is a medium sized bird weighing about 164 g.
- Where can you see a Bat Falcon?
- The Bat Falcon occurs in 21 countries, including Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Colombia and Panama.
- What birds look similar to a Bat Falcon?
- The Bat Falcon is most easily confused with the Lesser Kestrel, the Aplomado Falcon and the Brown Falcon.
- Is the Bat Falcon endangered?
- The Bat Falcon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Bat Falcon for real
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