The Aplomado Falcon is a colorful, long-tailed, and long yellow- legged falcon which inhabits open grassland areas. It is a predator of small to medium-sized birds and, during large infestations, feeds on insects. The pair bond appears to be strong in this species, with observations of co-operative hunting both in and outside of the breeding season. It is about the size of a Cooper's Hawk and a little smaller than the Prairie Falcon. When perched, its yellow legs and long tail are distinctive. At one time the Aplomado Falcon regularly nested in southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and southern Texas, but the last confirmed nest attempt in North America occurred in 1952. Factors which led to the decline of this population are not well understood, but encroachment of mesquite forest into historical nesting areas, major scientitfic collecting of adults and eggs in the 1920s, and changing agricultural practices are probably the main reasons.
Today, there is a continual effort by government biologists and interested conservation groups to re-introduce the Aplomado Falcon into areas of south Texea through captive and release, and hacking programs.
SIZE
The Aplomado Falcon exhibits reversed size dimorphism. That is females are larger than males. This trend is commonly found in the genus Falco. Average body length of the male is 15 inches (37 centimeters) while the female averages 17 inches (43 centimeters). Average wingspan of the male is 32 inches (81 centimeters) and the female is 38 inches (97 centimeters). Average weight of the male is 9.3 ounces (265 grams) and the female is 13.8 ounces (391 grams).
MORPHS
Two morphs occur within this species, namely the white-breasted color morph and the cinnamon color phase. These morphs represent extremes on a continuum and there is great individual variation as to the amount of white or cinnamon on the forehead and underparts. The immature shows more streaking on the breast and is more tawny overall.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
Adult - Flight
- has typical falcon silhouette of long, narrow curved wings and long tail.
- underwing is quite uniform and dark
- similar to Prairie Falcon but lacks dark patches on wing and dark cummerbund is prominent.
- wings when seen from above are generally dark with a white trailing edge
- tail is strongly barred black and white
- active, rapid, direct flight
Immature - Flight
- streaked breast; heaviest in female
- long tail strongly barred
- long narrow wings with white tipped secondaries.
- prominent white band on trailing edge of secondaries.
SIMILAR SPECIES
The Aplomado Falcon can be confused with other members of its genus such as the American Kestrel, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, and Peregrine Falcon. A careful examination of the striking characters of the Aplomado Falcon, such as the white eyebrow, black eyeline, dark cummerbund, and long tail should provide positive identification. The flight pattern is relatively shallow suggesting a kestrel, yet the Aplomado Falcon is larger. Sometimes the Mississippi Kite is often confused with a juvenile Aplomado Falcon.
OTHER NAMES
None is known.
ETYMOLOGY
The name does not translate easily from the Latin. The genus Falco means "sickle" and species femoralis translates into "referring to the thighs." Hence, we have the "Sickle hawk with notable thighs!" In Spanish, "aplomado" means "leadened-gray", a reference to the falcon's back.
