Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Slaty-backed Forest Falcon
Micrastur mirandollei
Slaty-backed Forest Falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) — Birds of Prey of Central America & Caribbean.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
See what's near you right nowThe Slaty-backed Forest Falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) is a member of the Falconidae family found in Central America & Caribbean and South America. Adults weigh 549 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Falconiformes
- Family Falconidae Caracaras, Falcons
- Genus Micrastur
- Species mirandollei
Quick facts
- Weight
- 549 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Falconidae
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) is a member of the Falconidae family, within the order Falconiformes. It is found across Central America & Caribbean and South America. Its distribution covers MA, SA Costa Rica to e Brazil.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 549 g, with a wing length of about 23.2 cm and a tail of around 20 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon?
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon is a large bird that weighs around 549 g.
Where does the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon live?
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon is found across Central America & Caribbean and South America with a range covering MA, SA Costa Rica to e Brazil, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon belong to?
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) belongs to the Falconidae family, in the order Falconiformes.
What does the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon eat?
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon migrate?
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon make?
1 real field recording of the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon — including its dawn song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Slaty-backed Forest Falcon's range?
The Slaty-backed Forest Falcon has a mapped global range of about 5.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Falconidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Extinct
Least Concern
More in Birds of Prey
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern