The bat falcon (Falco rufigularis ) is a falcon that is a resident breeder in tropical Mexico, Central and South America, Trinidad. It was long known as Falco albigularis ; the names Falco fusco-coerulescens or Falco fuscocaerulescens, long used for the aplomado falcon, are now believed to refer to the present species.
It is probably closely related to and looks like a small version of the orange-breasted falcon with which it has been misidentified. These two, in turn, are probably closest to the aplomado falcon and constitute a rather old American lineage of Falco species.
The female bat falcon, at 30.5 cm length, is much larger than the 23-cm-long male. Adults have a black back, head, and tail. The throat, upper breast, and neck sides are creamy white, the lower breast and belly are black, finely barred white, and the thighs and lower belly are orange. Young birds are similar, but with a buffy throat. The call of this species is a high pitched ke-ke-ke like the American kestrel.
This small, dark bird of prey inhabits open woodlands and forest clearings. Bat falcons perch conspicuously on high, open snags, from which they launch aerial attacks on their prey. They hunt bats, birds, small rodents and large insects such as dragonflies. The smaller male takes more insects, and the female more birds and bats. The flight is direct and powerful. This falcon is partly crepuscular, as the bats in its diet suggest. It lays two or three brown eggs in an unlined treehole nest.
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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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Soaring birdsSoaring birds can maintain flight without wing flapping, using rising air currents. Many gliding birds are able to "lock" their extended wings by m...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withBat falcons are small but widespread birds of prey in Mexico, Central, and South America. Adults have a black back, head, and tail. Their throat, upper breast, and neck sides are creamy white, the lower breast and belly are black, finely barred white, and the thighs and lower belly are orange. Young birds are similar in color, but with a buffy throat. Females in this species are much larger than males.
Bat falcons breed in tropical Mexico, Central and South America, and Trinidad. These small birds inhabit open woodlands, moist forests, dry forests, and savannah. They are often found in forest edge, along riverbanks and streams.
Bat falcons are generally solitary birds and outside of the breeding season spend time singly. They perch conspicuously on high, open snags, from which they launch aerial attacks on their prey. Their flight is direct and powerful. Bat falcons are mainly crepuscular and hunt by dusk and down. When hunting they may catch their prey on the wing, or on the ground. Bat falcons communicate with each other visually and vocally; their main call is a high pitched "ke-ke-ke".
Bat falcons breed are carnivores and hunt bats, birds, and large insects such as dragonflies moths and grasshoppers. They may also eat lizards and mice occasionally.
Bat falcons are monogamous; both males and females mate with only one partner. The start of the breeding season varies with location and during this time pairs become very aggressive defend strongly their nest from predators. The female lays two or three brown eggs usually in an unlined tree hole nest. The incubation period lasts around 4 to 7 weeks. Chicks are hatched naked and with closed eyes; they fledge at 35-40 days after hatching and are able to eat the prey on their own.
Bat falcons are not threatened globally but in Mexico and Central America, these small birds of prey suffer from habitat loss and deforestation.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total Bat falcon population size is around 500,000-4,999,999 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
