Aplomado Falcon ( Falco femoralis )
- Sent by Rodrigo Girardi Santiago - 07/12/2006
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35cm
Identification: the head is dark with a bege band on the eyebrows and another one on the neck. The throat is white, but unlike Falco rufigularis this ribbon is not extended up to the back of the neck. The chest is light brown with black dots, unlike Falco deiroleucus which presents this region orange. The belly is dark with white spots and there is a red patch near the tail. The tail is dark with three white bars.
It is one of Brazilian commonest falcons since it inhabits open landscapes, included those disturbed by men.
Feeds on small rodents and birds, reptiles and large insects.
Like other falcons these are monogamous birds with fixed breeding grounds.
The nest is built on tall trees and the female usually lays 3 eggs and takes care of them and of the offspring while the male hunts.
