Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus

Fairly large falcon; rare and local around clearings within large tracts of mature forest from southern Mexico to extreme northern Argentina. Very similar to much more common Bat Falcon. Small male Orange-breasted and large female Bat are especially confusing. Orange-breasted usually looks bulkier with proportionally larger head and feet. Look for coarser barring on underparts with broader white tips and bars on each feather, and more contrast between white throat and orange upper breast and neck sides. Beware some Bat Falcons have extensive orange wash on neck. Occurs singly or in pairs, often perched conspicuously in the canopy or on an exposed snag.