Forest falcons are members of the genus Micrastur, part of the family Falconidae. They are endemic to the Americas, found from Mexico in the north, south through Central America and large parts of South America, and as far south as northern Argentina. Most are restricted to humid tropical and subtropical forests, but the two most widespread species, the collared and the barred forest falcon, also range into drier and more open habitats.
Forest falcon
Image: Micrastur ruficollis Parque Estadual da Serra da Cantareira, Sao Paulo, Brazil 8
Image: Lined Forest Falcon
Image: Micrastur mintoni Cryptic Forest Falcon; Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil
The falcons and caracaras are around 65 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the family Falconidae. The family likely originated in South America during the Paleocene and is divided into three subfamilies: Herpetotherinae, which includes the laughing falcon and forest falcons; Polyborinae, which includes the spot-winged falconet and the caracaras; and Falconinae, the falcons and kestrels (Falco) and falconets (Microhierax).
Falconidae
The laughing falcon is a snake-eating specialist
The red-footed falcon is unusual in being a colonial breeding falcon
Image: Micrastur mintoni Cryptic Forest Falcon; Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil
