Lined Forest Falcon

Overview

The lined forest falcon (Micrastur gilvicollis) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, classified as a member of the subfamily Herpetotherinae. It is a year-round resident throughout its range in the Amazon Basin, where it is considered the most abundant diurnal raptor over much of the lowland forest.

Identification

• Measures 33 to 38 cm in length and weighs between 170 and 262 g, featuring pale gray upperparts and a dark gray tail with a white tip and two narrow white bars.
• White underparts display highly variable gray barring, ranging from light gray on the breast to heavy bars across the entire underparts.
• Distinguished by a white iris surrounded by bare reddish-orange skin, with yellow legs and feet.
• The most common vocalization is a series of nasal "cow-káh", "cow káw-káw" or "cow káw-káw-káw" notes, typically heard before dawn and during wet weather.

Habitat

Found in the Amazon Basin from eastern Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia east through Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil to the Atlantic coast. It primarily inhabits the interior of intact tropical primary forest, with lower densities in secondary forest and edges, ranging in elevation from near sea level to 1,600 m.

Diet

Hunts mostly in the forest understorey, consuming a diet that includes lizards, large insects, birds, snakes, and small mammals. It sometimes forages by following army ant swarms.

Did you know?

Despite having a large range, its exact population size is unknown and is believed to be decreasing, yet no immediate threats have been identified.