Aplomado Falcon

Is a medium-sized and exceptionally elegant bird of prey, belonging to the Falconidae family and scientifically classified as Falco femoralis, distinguished by its long, pointed wings and a remarkably long, narrow tail. Adults measure between 12 and 16 inches in total length, with a wingspan of approximately 35 inches and a body weight ranging from 200 to 500 grams, with females being noticeably larger and heavier than males. Its upperparts are a uniform slate or dark gray, while the upper breast displays a contrasting white to pale buff band. Immediately below this breast band, a highly distinctive, continuous black cummerbund-like band wraps around the mid-belly. The lower belly, flanks, and thighs are washed in a vibrant rufous or cinnamon color, which gives the species its specific name. The facial pattern is striking, featuring a white or yellowish superciliary stripe that joins at the back of the head, and a bold black mustache stripe that contrasts sharply with the pale cheeks.

Geographical distribution: Occupies a vast geographic range throughout the Americas, extending from the southwestern United States (specifically parts of Texas and New Mexico, where intensive reintroduction efforts have taken place) and Mexico, southward through Central America and across most of South America down to the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. It is widely distributed across countries such as Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and lowland areas of Ecuador and Peru, occasionally reaching elevations over 13,000 feet in the Andean plateau.

Habitat: Strictly prefers open and semi-open landscapes characterized by low-growing vegetation. These environments include savannas, grasslands, shrubby steppes, pampas, and agricultural pastures. It avoids dense, closed-canopy rainforests, choosing instead areas with scattered trees or palms, which it uses as hunting perches, as well as ecological transition zones like the Chaco and Cerrado biomes.

Feeding: Acts as an agile and opportunistic predator, with a diet primarily composed of small to medium-sized birds, such as pigeons, blackbirds, and various passerines. It also consumes significant amounts of large insects (such as grasshoppers, beetles, and dragonflies) caught on the wing, as well as small rodents, lizards, and occasionally bats during crepuscular hours.

Behavior: Characterized by its fast, direct, and highly maneuverable flight, alternating rapid wingbeats with short glides. It is frequently seen in pairs and is known for its remarkable cooperative hunting strategy, where one individual flushes prey out of dense cover while its mate makes the aerial capture. They routinely perch on utility poles, fence posts, or dead branches to scan their territory.

Nesting: Does not build its own nests, instead adopting abandoned stick nests constructed by other raptors, corvids, or herons, situated in trees, palms, or sometimes on high-voltage power line towers. A typical clutch consists of 2 to 4 eggs, which are creamy-white and densely speckled with brown. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs for about 31 to 33 days, and both feed the nestlings until they fledge at approximately 4 to 5 weeks of age.

Conservation status: Classified globally as a species of Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List due to its expansive range. Nonetheless, at a regional level, northern populations faced severe declines during the 20th century due to habitat loss, intensive agriculture, and historical pesticide use, prompting successful reintroduction initiatives and monitoring programs in North America.