- Scientific Name: Herpetotheres cachinnans
- Name in Spanish (Mexico): Halcón Guaco
- Name in Mayan: Koos
- ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: LAFA
- Family: Falconidae
- Order: Falconiformes
About this Species
The Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found throughout Mexico, Central America and South America, including Belize. This species is easily recognized by its distinctive call, which sounds like a raucous laugh. The Laughing Falcon has a striking plumage that contrasts buffy white head, neck, and underparts with a brown back and a black face mask and collar.
The diet of the Laughing Falcon is heavily focused on snakes, with up to 90% of its diet consisting of these reptiles. The bird is known for its unique hunting strategy, which involves using its wings to create a “tent” over a snake before swooping down to grab it. This method allows the falcon to catch snakes that are hiding in bushes or other vegetation.
The natural history of the Laughing Falcon in Belize is closely tied to the country’s tropical forests and savannas. These habitats provide ideal hunting grounds for the bird, and it is often seen perched on tall trees or soaring over open areas. The falcon is also known for its breeding behavior, which involves building a nest of sticks in a tree or on a cliff ledge. The female lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated for around 35 days before hatching. The young fledge after about 40-45 days.
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