Slaty-backed Forest Falcon

Overview

The slaty-backed forest falcon, Micrastur mirandollei, is a species of bird of prey belonging to the family Falconidae. It is widely distributed across the Americas but is considered rare and patchily present throughout its range.

Identification

• Adults feature slate gray upperparts that are darker on the crown and lighter on the cheeks, with white to cream underparts streaked by dark feather shafts.
• The tail is dark slate gray with a white tip and three narrow white bars that are often indistinct.
• Distinctive bright yellow legs and feet contrast with a greenish yellow cere and yellowish brown to dark brown irises.
• Vocalisations include a chanting series of 8–13 nasal, shouting kiiih or kaaah notes, as well as high-pitched eek-eek-eek sounds.

Habitat

This species inhabits lowland rainforests, favouring undisturbed areas but also occurring in mature secondary forest and open landscapes, often near watercourses. Its range spans from Costa Rica through Panama and western Colombia into western Ecuador, with a separate, larger range across the Amazon Basin in South America. It typically occupies elevations below 200 m, though it can be found as high as 500 m.

Diet

The diet includes birds, lizards, and snakes, though it is not fully detailed. Foraging takes place mostly from the understorey to the mid-level of the forest, occasionally descending to the ground. It may follow army ant swarms to capture smaller birds fleeing the ants.

Did you know?

The falcon produces high-pitched eek-eek-eek calls specifically to provoke small passerines to mob it, creating an opportunity to catch them.