AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Micrastur semitorquatus
Collared Forest-Falcon
(Vieillot, 1817)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
The Collared Forest-Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus) is the largest member of its genus and an evolutionary oddity. Although taxonomically a falcon, it lacks the pointed wings and does not hunt in open spaces. Its anatomy more closely resembles that of a forest hawk (Accipiter): it possesses short, heavily rounded wings and an exceptionally long tail, designed for maneuvering at explosive speeds in the dense jungle. There are three distinct 'morphs' (color phases): the light morph (black back and white belly with a stark white collar on the nape), the tawny morph, and the dark morph (almost entirely blackish). Perhaps its most unusual feature is its face, which has a facial disk of stiff feathers, very similar to that of owls, which channels sound to its ears.
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TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Falconiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Falconidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Micrastur
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Vieillot, 1817)
Record Completeness
85%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Dry Season
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It is an endemic species of dense tropical forests. It prefers the understory and mid-story of primary forests, lowland wet forests, mature dry forests, and well-preserved gallery forests. It is rarely observed flying above the canopy or in open spaces. In Costa Rica, it can be found on both slopes from sea level to 1,500 meters, being a ghostly but loudly heard presence at dawn and dusk in areas like the Osa Peninsula or the dry forest of Guanacaste.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is an extraordinarily stealthy raptor. It moves through the jungle flying from branch to branch via short, explosive flights, stopping silently to listen. If it detects prey, it pursues it at high speed through the dense tangle of branches without crashing, using its long tail to make tight turns (like a racing rudder). They have crepuscular tendencies, being much more active hunting early in the morning or entering the darkness of dusk.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Strictly solitary outside the nesting season and extremely territorial against other members of their species. They respond vigorously to the calls of intruders.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Carnivore (Ambush / Forest pursuit hunter).Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Apex predator of the forest mid-story. Its diet is carnivorous and highly opportunistic: it hunts guans (Penelope purpurascens), toucans, doves, parrots, rodents, bats, lizards, and snakes. Due to its size, agility, and ferocity, healthy adults have almost no natural predators, although large felines or the Harpy Eagle could pose an occasional threat.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Unlike many falcons, they do not build a stick nest. They are obligate secondary nesters: they must seek deep, natural cavities in large dead trees, or take over abandoned enclosed nests of other raptors. The female lays 2 (rarely 3) reddish, heavily spotted eggs. Incubation falls almost entirely on the female and lasts about 35 to 45 days, during which time the male must hunt to feed her and, later, the chicks.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
46.0 - 58.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
450 g - 950 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.1 - 3
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
24 - 36 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
35 - 45
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males10 - 15 Years
Females10 - 15 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Identical to females in coloration. However, strong reverse sexual dimorphism occurs in this species: males are noticeably smaller and lighter than females.
Females Multi-lang
Females can be up to 30% more massive than males, an adaptation that allows them to defend the nest cavity and tackle more formidable prey, while the smaller male is more agile to provide constant food.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Facial Disk (Auditory Hunting): Like owls and harriers, it possesses modified feathers around its face that form a parabolic disk. This allows it to locate prey (even rodents or birds hidden in thick foliage) using primarily its hearing, a vital adaptation in the darkness of the understory.
Extraction Legs: Its legs are exceptionally long and its joints are highly flexible. This morphology allows it to reach deep into tree cavities, enclosed nests, or crevices to extract chicks, bats, or lizards that other raptors cannot reach.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Fragmentation and Loss of Primary Forest: It requires extensive territories of continuous forest to hunt and survive. Deforestation fragments its habitat, rendering forest patches too small to support a viable population.
Logging of Old-Growth Trees (Nest Loss): Because they do not build their own nests, they depend obligatorily on large natural cavities in old trees to reproduce. The logging of these giant trees severely limits their reproductive capacity.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The Ghostly Call: Its presence is usually detected more by sound than sight. At dawn and dusk, they emit a series of loud, rhythmic calls ('ow... ow... ow' or a 'kwaa-kwaa') that are often mistaken for the barks of a small dog or a human laughing in the distance of the forest.
Army Ant Follower: It occasionally joins the army ant (Eciton) 'party'. It perches near the swarm and, in a display of opportunism, catches the large insects, lizards, and small birds that flee in terror from the advancing ants.