Slaty-backed Forest Falcon
Micrastur mirandollei
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) is a rare falcons and caracara found in 12 countries, weighing about 549 g. The slaty-backed forest falcon is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Herpetotherinae of family Falconidae, the falcons, and caracaras.
About the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon
The slaty-backed forest falcon is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Herpetotherinae of family Falconidae, the falcons, and caracaras. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, and every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The slaty-backed forest falcon is 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 in) long. Males weigh about 420 g (15 oz) and females about 500 to 556 g (18 to 20 oz). Its wingspan is 65 to 71 cm (26 to 28 in). Adults have slate gray upperparts, and are darker on the crown and lighter on the cheeks. Their throats and underparts are white to cream, and plain but for a few dark feather shafts making streaks. Their tail is dark slate gray with a white tip and three narrow white bars that often are indistinct. Their iris is yellowish brown to dark brown, its cere greenish yellow, and its legs and feet bright yellow. Voice: The slaty-backed forest falcon's primary vocalization is a "chanting series of 8-13 nasal, shouting kiiih or kaaah notes". It also makes a "high-pitched eek-eek-eek...", apparently to provoke small passerines to mob it so it can catch one.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Slaty-backed 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 Slaty-backed Forest Falcon?
- The slaty-backed forest falcon is 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Slaty-backed Forest Falcon?
- The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon is a large sized bird weighing about 549 g.
- Where can you see a Slaty-backed Forest Falcon?
- The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon occurs in 12 countries, including Panama, Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador.
- What birds look similar to a Slaty-backed Forest Falcon?
- The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon is most easily confused with the Lined Forest Falcon, the Cryptic Forest Falcon and the Buckley's Forest Falcon.
- Is the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon endangered?
- The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon for real
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