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FOREST FALCONS (GENUS MICRASTUR) (3 species). Rarely seen but frequently heard

denizens of humid forest. ‘Sing’ mainly at dawn and dusk, variations on series of crowing or barking

notes, often with a vaguely laughing cadence. Habits and often plumage recall tropical forest accipters

(preceding plate), but facial skin differs and eyes not staringly pale yellow or amber like accipiters, tails

strongly graduated.

BARRED FOREST FALCON  Micrastur ruficollis 33–38cm, WS 49–59cm.

Heard far more often than seen; a retiring, fairly small raptor of humid foothill

forest, cloud forest. Usually calls from concealed perch at low to mid-levels,

when elusive; at other times tends to perch quietly inside forest, often fairly low,

and can be confiding. Sometimes attends army ant swarms to prey on small

birds. Flight fast and direct, accipiter-like; does not soar. Adult distinctive, with

bright yellow face, pale eyes, finely barred underparts. 1st-year much smaller

and less lanky than Collared Forest Falcon, with brighter facial skin, less

strongly graduated tail. Also cf. Bicolored and Tiny Hawks. Attains adult

appearance in 2nd year. SOUNDS: Distinctive, overslurred yapping bark, repeated steadily, káah, káah,...,

10/12–18 secs, and more hesitant series mainly around dawn; also short, slightly descending series,

usually 5–8 notes, with slightly laughing cadence, kah, kaah-kaah-kaah-kah; cf. quieter but rather similar-

sounding calls of Plain Antvireo. STATUS: Uncommon on both slopes to 1800m, mainly in foothills.

(Mexico to S America.)

SLATY-BACKED FOREST FALCON  Micrastur mirandollei 41–45cm, WS 65–​

75cm. Rarely encountered inhabitant of humid lowland forest, adjacent

plantations, taller second growth. Calls mainly from mid-levels and subcanopy,

hunts mainly from perches in dense understory. Slightly more compact and

relatively shorter-tailed than other forest falcons, and fairly distinctive, if you

are lucky enough to see it: note head pattern with dark eyes, slaty-gray upper­

parts, cf. imm. Bicolored Hawk, adult Gray-bellied Hawk. SOUNDS: ‘Song’

mainly at dawn and dusk, a varied series of (usually 12–20) hollow, slightly

laughing or crowing notes, usually 2–3/sec in slightly intensifying or accelerating

series that sometimes run into slower-paced, longer laughing notes, nyaáh-nyaáh..., or aah aah aah...

aaáaah, aaáah.…Faster-paced and often higher, more nasal than Collared Forest Falcon. Cf. Laughing

Falcon. STATUS: Scarce on Caribbean slope, to 750m. (Honduras to S America.)

COLLARED FOREST FALCON  Micrastur semitorquatus male 53–56cm, female

61–64cm, WS 76–94cm. Heard far more often than seen; a spectacular, rather

large and lanky raptor of varied forested and wooded habitats; also ranges into

semi-open areas with hedgerows and forest patches. Usually calls from high

perch in subcanopy, and can be elusive. At other times ranges low to high,

mostly perching quietly inside forest; sometimes attends army ant swarms.

Flight direct, with fairly quick loose wingbeats and short glides; does not soar.

Note dark eyes, dark cheek crescent, very long graduated tail, long legs;

overhead, note boldly barred underside to flight feathers. Cf. 1st-year of smaller

Bicolored Hawk, much smaller Barred Forest Falcon. Most likely to be confused by sound with Laughing

Falcon. Adults typically buff to white below; dark morph rare. Attains adult appearance in 2nd year.

SOUNDS: Far-carrying, hollow, slightly overslurred cowh or owhh, in short series or repeated steadily but

not hurriedly, mainly early and late in day; rarely faster than 1 note every 1.5–2 secs; at times breaks into

an accelerating then slowing laugh of about 12–20 clucks, ending with a pause and final plaintive note,

hoh-hoh-hoh..., owh. Laughing Falcon has shorter, higher, typically faster-paced notes with, dare we say it,

a more laughing quality (by comparison, forest falcon sounds as though it’s being hit, owh...). Cf. Slaty-

backed Forest Falcon. Also quiet single notes on occasion. Juv. has a more plaintive mehow or kyeow, and

quiet reedy chippering in alarm. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, to 1600m; most

numerous on Pacific slope. (Mexico to S America.)