Bat Falcon

Bat Falcon

Falco rufigularis

Predict Sightings

About This Species

This fast-flying falcon hunts at dawn and dusk over forest edges, clearings, and river margins across Central and South America, often perching on a dead snag or exposed branch to scan for insects and small birds before launching short pursuit flights. Listen for sharp, high-pitched calls near forest clearings, and watch at dusk when it hawks for bats and large insects on the wing.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

  • View from a distance with binoculars rather than approaching a favored hunting perch, since repeated flushing can interrupt feeding.
  • General wildlife viewing guidance across its range recommends staying on trails, avoiding playback, and not using flash near active perches; disturbance rules vary by country, so check local regulations.
LCAvesFalconiformesFalconidae

Seasonal Activity

144,718 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Falconiformes
Family
Falconidae

Photo

Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

CC-BY-SA-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.