Aplomado Falcon
Falco femoralis
The aplomado falcon is a medium-sized falcon of the Americas. The species' largest continuous range is in South America, but not in the deep interior Amazon Basin.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplomado_falcon
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Falconiformes
Family
Falconidae
Genus
Falco
Aplomado Falcon belongs to the family Falconidae, order Falconiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The aplomado falcon is a medium-sized falcon of the Americas. The species' largest continuous range is in South America, but not in the deep interior Amazon Basin. It was long known as Falco fusco-coerulescens or Falco fuscocaerulescens, but these names are now believed to refer to the bat falcon. Its resemblance in shape to the hobbies accounts for its old name orange-chested hobby. Aplomado is an unusual Spanish word for "lead-colored", referring to the blue-grey areas of the plumage; an approximate English translation would be "plumbeous falcon". Spanish names for the species include halcón aplomado and halcón fajado ; in Brazil it is known as falcão-de-coleira.
The Aplomado Falcon faces significant population declines across much of its range due to widespread habitat loss and degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development. Historical persecution and ongoing human disturbance have further reduced breeding populations, while pesticide use has impacted both the species directly and its prey base.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Open grasslands, savannas, and prairie habitats with scattered trees or shrubs for nesting, typically in areas with low to moderate vegetation height. Also occupies agricultural areas, pastures, and semi-arid scrublands from sea level to moderate elevations.
Threats
Habitat loss and fragmentation from agricultural conversion
Urban and infrastructure development
Human persecution and disturbance at nest sites
Overgrazing leading to grassland degradation
Pesticide contamination affecting prey populations
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/aplomado-falcon