Laughing Falcon

(Herpetotheres cachinnans)

eBird gives this description for the Laughing Falcon:  Spectacular and distinctive raptor of tropical lowlands, often seen perched on prominent bare snags, from which it hunts for snakes. Occurs in forest and also in open country with scattered trees. Note the creamy head and underparts with a broad black “bandit mask.” Does not soar, and flies with hurried, stiff wingbeats, when rusty patches show on the wings. Named for its far-carrying laughing calls.

The Birds of the World Website introduces the Laughing Falcon like this:  Laughing Falcon is found in a variety of forested habitats from northern Mexico south to Paraguay. It can be found in cerrado, dry forests, gallery forest and lowland rainforest, but is most common along forest edges, and can be very rare in stretches of undisturbed forest in Amazonia. Laughing Falcon’s habitat preference is almost certainly related to its diet, which is largely restricted to snakes: snakes often visit forest edges to sunbathe. Laughing Falcon is named for its long series of yelps given at dawn and dusk, and a single series of which may last for up to five minutes. Though it is heard more often than it is seen, Laughing Falcon’s plumage is very distinctive with a black face mask and collar contrasting with a buffy white head, neck and underparts and brown back.

I saw and photographed my first Laughing Falcon on the afternoon of Monday, February 6, 2023, at La Selva Biological Research Station in Costa Rica.  This bird was perched over a small open field and gave us some excellent looks.  What a beautiful bird this was!