The Cryptic Forest Falcon (Micrastur mintoni) is a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family. It is found in the south-eastern Amazon rainforest in Brazil and Bolivia. Old specimens taken in the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil also exist, but there are no recent records from that region, and it has possibly been extirpated. While uncommon in its Amazonian range, it remains widespread, and is therefore rated as Least Concern by BirdLife International and IUCN. Long confused with the Lined Forest Falcon, the Cryptic Forest Falcon was only scientifically described in 2003 – the two being an example of a cryptic species complex. Unlike the Lined Forest Falcon, adult Cryptic Forest Falcons only have a single white tail-band (in addition to a narrow white tail-tip).
Famous quotes containing the words forest and/or falcon:
“The forest of Compiegne. Look at it. Like a kind grandmother dozing in her rocking chair. Old trees practicing curtsies in the wind because they still think Louis XIV is king.”
—Billy Wilder (b. 1906)
“The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.”
—Sun Tzu (6–5th century B.C.)