Photo: Henrik Grønvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Plumbeous Forest Falcon
Micrastur plumbeus
Plumbeous Forest Falcon (Micrastur plumbeus) — Birds of Prey of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon (Micrastur plumbeus) is a member of the Falconidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 185 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Falconiformes
- Family Falconidae Caracaras, Falcons
- Genus Micrastur
- Species plumbeus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 185 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Falconidae
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon (Micrastur plumbeus) is a member of the Falconidae family, within the order Falconiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA sw Colombia and nw Ecuador.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 185 g, with a wing length of about 17.3 cm and a tail of around 12.5 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 62,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Plumbeous Forest Falcon?
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon is a large bird that weighs around 185 g.
Where does the Plumbeous Forest Falcon live?
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon is found across South America with a range covering SA sw Colombia and nw Ecuador, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Plumbeous Forest Falcon belong to?
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon (Micrastur plumbeus) belongs to the Falconidae family, in the order Falconiformes.
What does the Plumbeous Forest Falcon eat?
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Plumbeous Forest Falcon migrate?
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Plumbeous Forest Falcon endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Plumbeous Forest Falcon make?
1 real field recording of the Plumbeous Forest Falcon — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Plumbeous Forest Falcon's range?
The Plumbeous Forest Falcon has a mapped global range of about 62,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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