Aplomado Falcon

Aplomado Falcon
Falco femoralis



MEASUREMENTS: The Aplomado Falcon has a body length of 12 - 16 inches, a wingspan of 2 1/2 - 3 feet, and weighs 9 - 17 ounces.
HABITAT: The Aplomado Falcon inhabits areas of open grassland, savanna, and shrub-steppe from tropical lowlands up to 12,000 feet. Aplomados historically ranged from southwest United States, through Central America, and across most of South America. These falcons had become extinct in the northern extent of their range. The Peregrine Fund is reintroducing this falcon into its northern range.

DIET: Aplomado Falcons feed predominately on birds and insects. These falcons often search for prey from a perch, then swoop down to catch it. Aplomados will also steal food from other raptors and mated pairs will hunt together. Uneaten food will be hidden for later meals.

REPRODUCTION: Aplomado Falcons do not build their own nests, but use abandoned stick nests made by other birds. The female most often lays 2 - 3 eggs that are incubated approximately 31 - 32 days. Young birds fledge from 4 - 5 weeks after hatching.

NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from the Latin words falco, meaning hook-shaped (falcate) and may refer to the beak or claws; femoralis pertains to the thigh and refers to the orange-brown color of the thigh. Aplomado is Spanish for lead-colored and alludes to the adult’s blue-black color. This bird has been known as an American Hobby, Femoral Falcon, and Orange-chested Hobby.

INTERESTING FACTS:
Since the early 1900s the Aplomado has become increasingly scarce in its northern range with the last known pair nesting in New Mexico in the early 1950s. This decline is probably due to the deterioration of the falcon’s habitat due to changes in land use and pesticides. In 1993, The Peregrine Fund started reintroducing captive-bred Aplomado Falcons into southern Texas.

The Aplomado Falcon has accipiter-like habits and a similar body shape. They have a long tail, long legs, and a slightly rounded wingtip. This falcon also uses accipiter hawk hunting strategies, such as flying into foliage to pursue or flush out their prey.

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