Bat Falcon

[virdz]

Hi all,
I´ll be posting pictures of Mr. Tautau, male bat falcon now about 10 days from hard penning.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/th_BabyShower005.jpg (http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/BabyShower005.jpg)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/th_BabyShower003.jpg (http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/BabyShower003.jpg)

Regards,

[`Chris L.]

Virg,
Is he yours?.. he looks great. Any info on these guys? What are you going to fly him on?

thank you for the pictures.. look foward to the updates

[Falcon Boy]

I love bat falcons,i think they'd do well on starling flocks here in the states, can't wait to hear how he comes along [smilie=banana.gif]

[virdz]

Hi guys, I´ve been working with Drakkar (formerly named Mr. Tautau) for a few weeks and have had much fun although not as many prey as I would like, here are the pictures they are many so it might take some time to load. I will put up some videos later:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/IMG_1165.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/IMG_1280.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/IMG_1274-1.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/IMG_1310.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/Lance.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/IMG_1306.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/IMG_1295.jpg
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http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/IMG_0803.jpg

[`Chris L.]

Virg,
Fantastic pictures. Those are great [smilie=eusa_clap.gif] . Thank you for taking the time to post them all

[everetkhorton]

Virg:
Thanks for the pictures. What is the weight of the falcon.

[kimmerar]

Thanks for those pictures. What a beautiful bird. Would love to try one someday. Thanks for taking the time to post those.

[Rudd]

Thanks for the great pictures. That bird is beautiful and looks like it would be fun.

[kenbro77]

Those are some really cool pictures. Peaked my interest.

Here is a link about the Bat Falcon

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Falco_rufigularis.html

http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/batfalcon.html

http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/falconiformes/bat.falcon.html

[gabboon]

That is a beautiful bird!

I was in the Dominican Republic several years ago and saw a small falcon I could not ID. Looking at these photos I think it may have been a bat falcon. Anyone know if they are documented there or not? Range per the links doesn't mention it, but I think it close enough a vagrant is a possibility.

[virdz]

Hi all, thanks for your comments. The male bat falcon hunts at 113 grms. Yesterday he caught a cowbird. I read the links about bat f. biology and certainly sometimes they fly at dusk or dawn, as many other raptors like merlins, peregrines, etc, but the BF is definietly NOT a nocturnal species, it is CREPUSCULAR, since it does NOT fly or hunt at night.
The BF probably does occur in Dominican Republic and there is its larger cousin, the Orange breasted falcon, probably the most powerful tropical longwing, there are pictures of it in Falconry Photos.

[Lee Slikkers]

stunning pics and an absolutely gorgeous bird...thanks for sharing!

[sakerjack]

Very Very Cool!!

[[HOA]hawk]

Very pretty bird. Nice pics too. [smilie=icon_thumright.gif]

[lovefreshwater]

this bat hawk...TauTau is a very cute at sametime he is a very bad boy!! [smilie=eusa_think.gif]

[SimoneBird]

GREAT photos. I enjoyed them a lot. Does anyone know if this species if available here in the states ever? I met someone with a Bat Falcon hybrid a couple years ago at a NAFA meet so I assume they must be out there somewhere...?

[Saluqi]

GREAT photos. I enjoyed them a lot. Does anyone know if this species if available here in the states ever? I met someone with a Bat Falcon hybrid a couple years ago at a NAFA meet so I assume they must be out there somewhere...?

Hi Simone,

That was Tom Smylie you met at the meet, it was a barbary x bat. He got the bird from Bob McCollum in CA, who I think bred it, I don't think Bob still has the bat falcon half of the equation. The hybrid is back with Bob, I believe it's 10 or more years old.

[awahl]

I know that I gave Bob peregrine semen that was used on a bat hybrid. I do know that it produced a young bird. It was close to 10 years ago, more likely about 8 to 9 years ago. I never saw the bird though, but think I have pictures of it somewhere.

[Heero]

I hate describing an effective, highly evolved hunter as 'cute', but man do I ever just want to grab that little guy to give him hugs and scratches on his fluffy little head.

Mike

[Desertfalcon]

I hate describing an effective, highly evolved hunter as 'cute', but man do I ever just want to grab that little guy to give him hugs and scratches on his fluffy little head.

Mike
I'm afflicted with that same condition. ;)

[Desertfalcon]

Those are great pics, Virgilio! I've never even heard of a "Bat" falcon before. I guess it's about the same size a Merlin? That is really beautiful country in the pictures as well, which I assume is around Cuernavaca. I visited that city many years ago and loved it.

[SimoneBird]

Hi guys, thanks for the info. Too bad that Bat Falcons are not more readily available. I know Aplomados have been imported recently with success. Anyone know if anyone is trying the same with Bat Falcons or other tropical species? I know we have plenty of great species here in the states but it is always neat to hear and see about other species and how they do in falconry situations.

[Yeomanfalconer]

Hi guys, thanks for the info. Too bad that Bat Falcons are not more readily available. I know Aplomados have been imported recently with success. Anyone know if anyone is trying the same with Bat Falcons or other tropical species? I know we have plenty of great species here in the states but it is always neat to hear and see about other species and how they do in falconry situations.

I was lucky to briefly fly a female back in the eighties, but quickly gave her to John Linthicum to breed. I have never seen a bird that was such a target of predation. Can you say Prairie Falcon magnet ?

[GONEHAWKN]

I was lucky to briefly fly a female back in the eighties, but quickly gave her to John Linthicum to breed. I have never seen a bird that was such a target of predation. Can you say Prairie Falcon magnet ?

Eric, i was thinking the same thing when i looked at the coloration of the birds plumage. The first thing that came to mind was a brightly colored fishing lure, but for Coops in my area. Very good looking bird to say the least.

[Desertfalcon]

Eric, i was thinking the same thing when i looked at the coloration of the birds plumage. The first thing that came to mind was a brightly colored fishing lure, but for Coops in my area. Very good looking bird to say the least.
They are majestic looking though. I mean this picture looks like someone off camera could be saying, "Commissioner Gordon is here to see you, sir."



http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z17/virdz/longwings/Mister%20Tautau/IMG_0659.jpg

[Tanner]

I know that the argument has always been that bat falcons just didn't recognize northern raptors in the US and were thus easily picked off (and I believe the same was said about Orange breasted falcons). There has to be more to it than that. One consideration is that those birds were way way too far north in Idaho - they are not built to deal with those temperatures, not even close, and that can certainly affect their performance. Maybe some were flown too lean whilst trying to make them fly in an un-natural way (this happens to small falcons of all kinds, often).

Does it really make sense that a bird this size and with this build truly couldn't out fly and/or out maneuver a prairie falcon?? A prairie falcon??????

Whatever the reason, it's too bad that the limited numbers that were in this country at one point never amounted to much.

[Yeomanfalconer]

I know that the argument has always been that bat falcons just didn't recognize northern raptors in the US and were thus easily picked off (and I believe the same was said about Orange breasted falcons). There has to be more to it than that. One consideration is that those birds were way way too far north in Idaho - they are not built to deal with those temperatures, not even close, and that can certainly affect their performance. Maybe some were flown too lean whilst trying to make them fly in an un-natural way (this happens to small falcons of all kinds, often).

Does it really make sense that a bird this size and with this build truly couldn't out fly and/or out maneuver a prairie falcon?? A prairie falcon??????

Whatever the reason, it's too bad that the limited numbers that were in this country at one point never amounted to much.

It was mid-July, I had the little Bat-girl out in the SRBPNA one morning. She went up with a little group of swallows, looked just like them, just bigger. It was her fourth time in the air, tame hacking, and she was staying right with them. Once they were all about 100 feet up, a fresh little passage Prairie Tiercel, just out of the canyon, zipped in and bound to the BF, which did see him coming and tried to evade. They came to the ground within fifty feet of me. The prairie let go and kept on trucking in the warm morning wind as I approached. After that she was loath to fly much. She was OK injury-wise, but her pysche was affected. Never got to the cold weather with her. Would I try another or an OBF or a Tieta ? you bet. It was an unusual situation that I got that bird twenty years ago. You learn a few things in that time. P.S.Idaho Prairie Falcons are better than New Mexican ones. ;) (Gawd I love a good debate)

[Tanner]

P.S.Idaho Prairie Falcons are better than New Mexican ones. ;) (Gawd I love a good debate)

They must be! :D

[JRedig]

I know that the argument has always been that bat falcons just didn't recognize northern raptors in the US and were thus easily picked off (and I believe the same was said about Orange breasted falcons). There has to be more to it than that. One consideration is that those birds were way way too far north in Idaho - they are not built to deal with those temperatures, not even close, and that can certainly affect their performance. Maybe some were flown too lean whilst trying to make them fly in an un-natural way (this happens to small falcons of all kinds, often).

Does it really make sense that a bird this size and with this build truly couldn't out fly and/or out maneuver a prairie falcon?? A prairie falcon??????

Whatever the reason, it's too bad that the limited numbers that were in this country at one point never amounted to much.

I think you have to consider that while classified as falcons, they are built differently. They look like a flying cross in the air, proportionally different from anything else in our region and a wing beat that's different as well. Things like that stand out.

In regards to OBF's specifically, I don't know that they would have a good place in falconry. The habitat they prefer is so unique and they are a very sensitive species that is dramatically in decline. They hunt from very very high pitches and do not go to ground for the most part. If they hit something in the stoop and don't bind, it falls through the canopy where they do not go, hence the large feet. So that dictates that their natural prey base is small'ish birds; things they can carry back to the very high cliffs they are usually found nesting on. They don't really have any predators from the air so it's not beyond the realm of possibility that they don't recognize the larger falcons in our area. Everything bigger than them is down near/beneath the canopy for the most part save for vultures etc. Sure peregrines migrate through, but i'd wager the OBF is a overhead watching them fly by for the most part.

Bat falcons, while similar, seem to have much less issue adapting and thriving in an ever changing ecosystem and landscape. I'm not as familiar with them, but know they are fairly common.

Something that I believe is important and practically impossible to do anything about is the dry climates in the states. Their world is anywhere from wet to saturated much of the year. The affects are unknown, granted other species such as ornate hawk-eagles and harpy's do ok, but they are obviously much larger and have more wiggle room.

[SimoneBird]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[hawkguy1]

thanks for posting.great pics!

[colelkhunter]

There was a raptor breeder in Virginia that had a couple pairs of Bat Falcons. I don't think they ever produced, but he tried for several years. Very neat little bird for sure and gorgeous to look at. One of my favorites

[Billy Blackwolf]

Thank you for the pictures show, that was AWESOME .STAY STRONG

[Chris Proctor]

Are Bat falcons basically mini Orange breasted falcons (other than in just looks)? Bill Meeker told me that Orange Breasted don't make good falconry birds because they are so prone to carry. Do you know anyone or have you flown any O.B. falcons?

[thegreendevil76]

I was lucky enough to see an Orange Breasted Falcon hunting in Belize, but I would love to watch a Bat Falcon in action! Thanks for the pics, they are great!

[Tanner]

Are Bat falcons basically mini Orange breasted falcons (other than in just looks)? Bill Meeker told me that Orange Breasted don't make good falconry birds because they are so prone to carry. Do you know anyone or have you flown any O.B. falcons?

Man....that's silly. There's only been a handful of OBF in the country let alone flown (in any country). Let's be honest, in that context, nobody knows what kind of falconry bird they are. Bob Berry has flown a few I believe.

[JRedig]

Man....that's silly. There's only been a handful of OBF in the country let alone flown (in any country). Let's be honest, in that context, nobody knows what kind of falconry bird they are. Bob Berry has flown a few I believe.

Bob flew one briefly that I recall, in his estimation they dont have much of a place in falconry. I don't mean to put words in his mouth, his sole purpose of having them was to breed for reintroduction anyway and Wyoming is fairly limited for testing out a tropical species. They have been hard enough to keep alive and successfully breed let alone the risk of flying/losing one.

[Chris Proctor]

Man....that's silly. There's only been a handful of OBF in the country let alone flown (in any country). Let's be honest, in that context, nobody knows what kind of falconry bird they are. Bob Berry has flown a few I believe.

Tanner,

Not silly at all. He lives in Mexico, where he would probably have more access to them then you would think. Here is a picture of a falconer lure flying a passage OBF and then a picture of an adult on the block.

Bill Meeker told me that feather care was hard to manage with one in anything less than 75% humidity and they were really prone to carrying. That massive beak and their feet are amazing though. I bet they sure pack a mean bite.

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx242/Chris_Proctor/Oscar_Beingolea.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx242/Chris_Proctor/deiroleucus.jpg

[Tanner]

Hi Chris,

Not trying to be confrontational, I'm simply saying that at this point we're describing the falconry potential of an entire species based on comments from a guy that talked to a guy that flew one, or two, (or maybe five? same difference). Falconry by tradition is experimentalisim - what seemed an impossible bird to one guy may be anothers bird of a lifetime. I'm with ya, the beak and feet are MEAN on those things - a predator like that can't be unsuited to falconry in some form.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Tanner

[Chris Proctor]

Hi Chris,

Not trying to be confrontational, I'm simply saying that at this point we're describing the falconry potential of an entire species based on comments from a guy that talked to a guy that flew one, or two, (or maybe five? same difference). Falconry by tradition is experimentalisim - what seemed an impossible bird to one guy may be anothers bird of a lifetime. I'm with ya, the beak and feet are MEAN on those things - a predator like that can't be unsuited to falconry in some form.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Tanner

Ahh, very true. Relates to the same thing that has happened with Cooper's hawks. I was told never to fly one by my sponsor when I was a kid because he was not a fan of their behavior, though Cooper's hawks have been one of my favorite hunting hawks because of that behavior.

[JRedig]

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx242/Chris_Proctor/Oscar_Beingolea.jpg


That picture doesn't look right to me...

[Chris Proctor]

That picture doesn't look right to me...

Because the falconer is out of focus and the bird is in focus?

[Brian Kellogg]

Hi guys, thanks for the info. Too bad that Bat Falcons are not more readily available. I know Aplomados have been imported recently with success. Anyone know if anyone is trying the same with Bat Falcons or other tropical species? I know we have plenty of great species here in the states but it is always neat to hear and see about other species and how they do in falconry situations.
Hi Simone, I flew a tiercel Bat Falcon many years ago..... fun little guy.

[SimoneBird]

Really?! Where did you get him and what did you fly him on? I had no idea. How cool. Any pics? I really like them...

[Chris Proctor]

Back in the 60's and 70's everything and anything seemed to get imported. In the early 70's my friend Jeff Beals flew a changeable Hawk eagle and a Bat falcon. They use to catch rabbit with that Hawk eagle pretty regularly.

And then that red tape came and cleaned up all the easy importing...

[colelkhunter]

Remembered the guys name that had some of these little Bat Falcons. It was Dave Mancini over in virginia. He may still have one for all I know. Last time I spoke with him was years ago. He was unimpressed with them for falconry, however. I remember him saying that. He said their feet were kinda spindly.

[Brian Kellogg]

Hi Chris... that's funny. I also flew a Changeable Hawk eagle back in the late 70's early 80's. One of the best birds I've ever flown!

[Brian Kellogg]

Really?! Where did you get him and what did you fly him on? I had no idea. How cool. Any pics? I really like them...
Hi Simone, I got him from Tom Gleason. I was also flying a female merlin at the time. He was pretty much eye candy and liked to chase bugs more than anything. A female might have been a better choice but I was just lucky enough to get him... I have some pics in a photo album at home...