are larger than males. It is mostly gray on the face and
belly, and the wings, back, and upper breast are black.
The head sports a tall blackish- gray crest. Harpy Eagles
feed mostly on monkeys and sloths, including the largest
species, capturing them in a swift pass, legs extended, by
grabbing the prey from its tree.
The Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis; plate 15-
149), which resembles the Harpy Eagle and has similar
habits, is somewhat smaller (a female Crested is about
the size of a male Harpy). It shares much of the range
of the Harpy Eagle, occurring in rain forest and along
riverine areas throughout Amazonia.
Falcons and Caracaras
Falcons (family Falconidae, order Falconiformes) are
speedy birds of prey known for their aerial agility.
With long tails and sharply pointed wings, falcons are
quick to pursue and capture rodents, small birds, and
insects. One species, the diminutive Bat Falcon (Falco
rufigularis), specializes in capturing bats at dawn and
dusk, but is often observed perched in the open in
daylight. It is largely dark blue, with a white throat and
orange on the thighs and lower belly.
Recent genetic analysis has resulted in a major revision
of falcon and caracara classification. The group, family
Falconidae, is now recognized as its own order, the
Falconiformes, and placed between the woodpeckers
(Piciformes) and the parrots (Psittaciformes). Such a
change suggests that the characteristics of falcons as
birds of prey are convergent rather than derivative of
such birds of prey as hawks and eagles.
The Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans;
plate 15- 150) is often seen perched atop a snag along a
forest edge, cleared field, or savanna. Very buffy on the
head, neck and breast, the Laughing Falcon has dark
brown wings, back, and tail, with a black band through
the eyes and around the back of the neck. Named for
its penetrating loud call, these birds prey on snakes
and other animals spotted by patiently sitting for long
periods. This is one of the few raptors, perhaps the only
species, to have been documented (in film) to prey on
highly venomous coral snakes.
Forest- falcons (genus Micrastur; plate 15- 151)
are grayish falcons that skulk inside forests and
are generally difficult to find. They are typically
inconspicuous, perching motionless in the deep forest
shade until they fly swiftly through the forest to capture
prey, mostly birds. Researchers who band birds bycapturing them in long inconspicuous mist nets have
often observed that a forest- falcon will learn that birds
are being netted and come to the net to prey on the
bird as soon as it is captured.
The Yellow- headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima;
plate 15- 152) is a common and conspicuous falcon, often
seen in groups along rivers and forest edges. Caracaras,
like vultures, feed on carrion and hence are frequently
encountered along roadsides. Yellow- headed Caracaras
are slender birds, buffy yellow on head, breast, and belly,
with blackish brown wings and tail.
Three closely related species of crested caracaras
(Caracara; plate 15- 153) range from the southern
United States throughout Central and South America.
Similar in appearance and ecology, crested caracaras
frequent open grasslands and savannas.Owls
Owls (order Strigiformes, families Tytonidae [barn
owls] and Strigidae [typical owls]) are nocturnal birds
of prey. Approximately 50 species of owls, screech-
owls, and pygmy- owls occur in the Neotropics.
Several of the most wide- ranging are discussed below.
Owls prey mostly on vertebrates, particularly small
mammals and birds.
The Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata; plate
15- 154) is the largest Neotropical owl, reaching 50 cm
(19.7 in) in length. It is buffy yellow on the lower breast
and belly, a dark brown band crosses its upper breast,
and it has a dark brown back, wings, tail, and head. The
bright yellow eyes highlighted by white give the bird
its name. Spectacled Owls make a deep hooting sound.Plate 15- 147. Ornate Hawk- Eagle. Photo by Sean Williams.312 chapter 15 neotropical birds: the bustling crowd