Harpagus diodon
A small, agile raptor, the Rufous-thighed Kite measures 30-35 cm (12-14 inches) in length with a wingspan of 60-70 cm (24-28 inches), weighing between 140-200 grams, with females typically larger than males. Its striking appearance features slate-grey upperparts contrasting with crisp white underparts, finely barred flanks, and most notably, vibrant rufous thighs—its namesake field mark. The dark tail is emblazoned with two distinct white bands, while its yellow cere and feet, coupled with da...
Primarily inhabiting humid, low-elevation primary and mature secondary rainforests, the Rufous-thighed Kite also frequents forest edges, clearings, and gallery forests, typically found below 1200 meters, though occasionally higher.
Primarily an insectivorous raptor, its diet consists mainly of large insects such as cicadas, crickets, and beetles, supplemented by small lizards, frogs, and occasionally small birds, all captured through agile aerial pursuit or by snatching from foliage.
A diurnal raptor, the Rufous-thighed Kite is typically observed singly or in pairs, spending its days actively foraging and roosting inconspicuously within the dense forest canopy. Its primary hunting strategy involves perch-hunting, where it patiently surveys its surroundings from a high vantage...
The Rufous-thighed Kite boasts a wide distribution across the Neotropics, primarily throughout South America, extending from Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas southwards across the vast Amazon Basin. It is a resident breeder in eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and Bolivia, reaching southeastern ...
Least Concern
- Its name, Harpagus, comes from Greek, meaning "snatcher" or "robber," a fitting description for its agile hunting style. - Unlike many raptors, the Rufous-thighed Kite is primarily an insectivore, a specialized niche for a bird of prey. - Its distinctive "rufous thighs" are one of the most reli...