Spot-winged Falconet

Overview

The spot-winged falconet is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. Although its size and shape suggest it is a typical falcon, genetic data place it closer to the caracaras.

Identification

• 25 to 31 cm long and weighs 149 to 249 g; stocky with shortish wings and a fairly long tail.
• Grayish brown head, back, and wings featuring white spots on the wings and shoulders, a white rump, and pale yellow irises.
• Distinctive facial markings include a pale supercilium extending onto the neck, black ear coverts, and a narrow black "moustache".
• Vocalisations include a distinctive nasal clucking that falls in pitch with a wailing effect, and a loud, guttural "kronk, kronk, kronk...".

Habitat

Found from Bolivia's Santa Cruz Department south through Paraguay into Argentina as far south as Río Negro Province, with hypothetical records in Uruguay. It inhabits the Gran Chaco in mostly-open landscapes such as savanna and semi-arid woodlands characterised by scrub with scattered trees, ranging in elevation from sea level to about 750 m.

Diet

It is known to still-hunt from a perch. Its diet includes insects of many orders, lizards, small mammals, and birds as large as the rufous hornero and monk parakeet.

Did you know?

The species nests in enclosed woven nests of other bird species, such as cacholotes, and in the active communal nests of monk parakeets.