Predation on the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and consumption of theCampo Flicker (Colaptes campestris) by the Aplomado Falcon (Falcofemoralis) in Brazil

The Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) has a wide distribution ranging from south-east USA to Tierra del Fuego (Ferguson- Lees and Christie 2001). This small raptor (208 – 460 g) inhabits mostly non-forested habitats, such as savannah grassland, scrub steppe, cactus desert, marshland with scattered trees, and sometimes in and around small woods and plantations (Cade 1982, White et al. 1994, Sick 1997, Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). The diet of the Aplomado Falcon relies mostly in birds, insects, rodents, bats and lizards (Hector 1981, 1985, White et al. 1994, Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). Despite the Aplomado Falcon’s wide distribution, its biology is poorly known, mostly in Brazil. Thus, we describe consumption and predation events by this raptor on two relatively large birds.

Marco Antonio M. Granzinolli and Jose Carlos Motta-Junior, Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 14 (4) 453-454