Collared Forest Falcon
Micrastur semitorquatus
The Collared Forest Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus) is a uncommon falcons and caracara found in 20 countries, weighing about 622 g. The collared forest falcon is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae.
About the Collared Forest Falcon
The collared forest falcon is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is the largest member of the Micrastur genus and a common inhabitant of tropical rainforests in Latin America. Hiding in the dense forest canopy, they are a secretive bird often only recognized by their distinctive call. With a morphology or body type allowing them to be agile in their forested habitat, their diet comprises a wide variety of prey from smaller frogs to adult turkeys (2.7-3.2 kg).
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The collared forest falcon has a dark coloured back with a white neck and breast. The species has three morphological variants (morphs): pale, tawny and dark. The former two have a light coloured collar at the back of their neck, which explains their name. This is the largest species of the forest falcon genus, with a total length of 46 to 58 cm (18 to 23 in), wingspan of 72 to 86 cm (28 to 34 in) and male weights of 467 to 646 g (1.030 to 1.424 lb), averaging some 523 g (1.153 lb), and female weights of 649–940 g (1.431–2.072 lb), averaging 740 g (1. Voice: The call of the forest falcon has been described as a distinctive low, almost human-like ow or ahr. During the breeding season, these vocalizations can be heard before sunrise every morning and into the mid-morning. The low-frequency of the sound and the timing at which they tend to communicate makes it possible for them to be heard at great distances in the dense forest canopy.
What the Collared Forest Falcon sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see it
The Collared Forest 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 Collared Forest Falcon?
- The collared forest falcon has a dark coloured back with a white neck and breast. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Collared Forest Falcon?
- The Collared Forest Falcon is a large sized bird weighing about 622 g.
- Where can you see a Collared Forest Falcon?
- The Collared Forest Falcon occurs in 20 countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Brazil and Guatemala.
- What does a Collared Forest Falcon sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Collared Forest Falcon on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Collared Forest Falcon?
- The Collared Forest Falcon is most easily confused with the Barred Forest Falcon, the Lined Forest Falcon and the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon.
- Is the Collared Forest Falcon endangered?
- The Collared Forest Falcon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Collared Forest Falcon for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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