Birdsong field guide
Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon
Micrastur mirandollei
A secretive, medium-sized Neotropical raptor characterized by its slate-gray upperparts, pale underparts, and distinctively bright yellow facial skin. It is primarily a canopy-dwelling species, making it more difficult to observe than its understory-dwelling relatives.
What it sounds like
A series of clear, nasal, barking notes sounding like 'kyow-kyow-kyow' or 'kah-kah-kah', usually repeated slowly.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- It is the least known and most elusive member of the genus Micrastur, often identified only by its vocalizations.
- Unlike many other forest-falcons that hunt near the ground, this species spends the majority of its time in the mid-to-upper forest canopy.
- Its physical adaptations, including short, rounded wings and a long tail, allow for high-speed maneuvering through dense tropical foliage.
- The species is largely solitary and primarily preys upon birds and lizards caught within the canopy layers.
- Its bright yellow or orange-yellow cere and orbital skin provide a sharp contrast to its dark, slaty plumage.
Habitat
Humid lowland terra firme forests and mature secondary forests.
Range
Tropical South America (Amazon Basin and Atlantic Forest) and Southern Central America (Costa Rica and Panama).
Similar & commonly confused birds
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