Buckley's Forest Falcon

Overview

Buckley's forest falcon, also known as the lesser collared forest-falcon, is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is a monotypic species previously considered a variant of the collared forest falcon but now recognised as a distinct sister species.

Identification

• Adults measure 41 to 51 cm in length with a wingspan of 61 to 72 cm.
• Adult males feature black upperparts with a white collar, while cheeks, throat, and underparts are white and unmarked.
• The tail is black with three narrow white bars on inner feathers and four on outer ones; females possess additional white spots on scapulars and secondaries.
• Juveniles have a buffy breast and dark bars on the belly, distinguishing them from adults.
• The primary vocalisation is a far-carrying, nasal 'eeok, oow' repeated for long periods, mainly at dawn.

Habitat

The species is found in lowland tropical and subtropical forests across Bolivia, extreme western Brazil, eastern Ecuador, and eastern Peru, with hypothetical records in Colombia and Venezuela. Most observations occur at elevations between 100 and 700 m, though specimens have been recorded as high as 1,800 m.

Diet

Almost nothing is known about the specific diet or hunting techniques of this species, although one specimen contained a small Mesomys arboreal rat in its stomach. The bird's small feet suggest that birds are only a minor part of its diet.

Did you know?

The species was previously classified as a variant of the collared forest falcon but is now recognised as a distinct sister species alongside the slaty-backed forest falcon.