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[[Image:Aplomado_Falcon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by aplomado2u<br>Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico]] | [[Image:Aplomado_Falcon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by aplomado2u<br>Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico]] | ||
==Identification: == | ==Identification: == | ||
− | 15-18" (38-45.5 cm). W. 40-48" (102-122 cm). Like a small, long- tailed, boldly patterned Peregrine Falcon. Adult blue- | + | 15-18" (38-45.5 cm). W. 40-48" (102-122 cm). Like a small, long- tailed, boldly patterned Peregrine Falcon. Adult blue-grey above, with bold "moustache" on face, white eyebrow, and black stripe through eye. Nape rusty; throat white; upper breast buff with heavy streaks; lower breast and flanks black; thighs and belly cinnamon. Young birds brown above, streaked on breast, plain brown on flanks. |
− | == | + | |
− | + | ==Distribution== | |
− | == | + | Southwest [[United States]], through [[Central America]], and across most of [[South America]]. These falcons had become extinct in the northern extent of their range. The Peregrine Fund is reintroducing this falcon into its northern range. |
+ | ==Taxonomy== | ||
+ | There are 3 subspecies; | ||
+ | |||
+ | * ''F f femoralis'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * ''F f septentrionalis'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * ''F f pichinchae'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Habitat== | ||
+ | The Aplomado Falcon inhabits areas of open grassland, savanna, and shrub-steppe from tropical lowlands up to 12,000 feet. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Behaviour== | ||
+ | Usually found perched on a tall cactus or telephone pole. When it flies off in alarm, or in pursuit of prey, it often dips down and courses low over the ground. Most active at dawn and dusk. | ||
+ | |||
Aplomado Falcons feed predominately on birds and insects. These falcons often search for prey from a perch, then swoop down to catch it. Aplomados will also steal food from other raptors and mated pairs will hunt together. Uneaten food will be hidden for later meals. | Aplomado Falcons feed predominately on birds and insects. These falcons often search for prey from a perch, then swoop down to catch it. Aplomados will also steal food from other raptors and mated pairs will hunt together. Uneaten food will be hidden for later meals. | ||
− | + | ||
− | Aplomado Falcons do not build their own nests, but use abandoned stick nests made by other birds. The female most often lays 2 - 3 eggs that are incubated approximately 31 - 32 days. Young birds fledge from 4 - 5 weeks after hatching. | + | Aplomado Falcons do not build their own nests, but use abandoned stick nests made by other birds. The female most often lays 2 - 3 eggs that are incubated approximately 31 - 32 days. Young birds fledge from 4 - 5 weeks after hatching. |
− | == | + | |
− | A rapid kak-kak-kak-kak. | + | ====Vocalisation==== |
− | + | A rapid ''kak-kak-kak-kak''. | |
− | + | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Falco+femoralis}} | {{GSearch|Falco+femoralis}} | ||
− | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Falco | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Falco]] |
Revision as of 16:25, 13 October 2008
- Falco femoralis
Identification:
15-18" (38-45.5 cm). W. 40-48" (102-122 cm). Like a small, long- tailed, boldly patterned Peregrine Falcon. Adult blue-grey above, with bold "moustache" on face, white eyebrow, and black stripe through eye. Nape rusty; throat white; upper breast buff with heavy streaks; lower breast and flanks black; thighs and belly cinnamon. Young birds brown above, streaked on breast, plain brown on flanks.
Distribution
Southwest United States, through Central America, and across most of South America. These falcons had become extinct in the northern extent of their range. The Peregrine Fund is reintroducing this falcon into its northern range.
Taxonomy
There are 3 subspecies;
- F f femoralis
- F f septentrionalis
- F f pichinchae
Habitat
The Aplomado Falcon inhabits areas of open grassland, savanna, and shrub-steppe from tropical lowlands up to 12,000 feet.
Behaviour
Usually found perched on a tall cactus or telephone pole. When it flies off in alarm, or in pursuit of prey, it often dips down and courses low over the ground. Most active at dawn and dusk.
Aplomado Falcons feed predominately on birds and insects. These falcons often search for prey from a perch, then swoop down to catch it. Aplomados will also steal food from other raptors and mated pairs will hunt together. Uneaten food will be hidden for later meals.
Aplomado Falcons do not build their own nests, but use abandoned stick nests made by other birds. The female most often lays 2 - 3 eggs that are incubated approximately 31 - 32 days. Young birds fledge from 4 - 5 weeks after hatching.
Vocalisation
A rapid kak-kak-kak-kak.