Laughing All the Way

The CBC is still very much on my mind as I begin the process of entering the 19th GJ CBC data at the National Audubon Society's CBC website. So in the meantime, I wanted to share another of Graham Sampson's and the Corozal EAGLEs' photographed birds.

Above is a gorgeous raptor from the Count, the Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans). This is a snake-eating falcon as the species name Herpetotheres implies. On a couple of occasions, we've seen them swoop down on snakes that I hadn't even noticed. That's the legendary vision raptors are known for.

As the common name suggests, the Laughing Falcon has the most amazing vocalizations. They'll be getting cranked up for courtship soon. During the next weeks the pair will begin calling back and forth in ringing duet, starting slowly (Ah ha! AH-ha! Ahhhh-ha!), then building up to a crescendo. Sort of like Ravel's "Bolero" for birds...