Aves 3D

Browse the database

• Cladogram
• Scientific Name
• Common Name
• Skeletal Element
• Temporal Interval
• Geographical Location
• Specimen Number

Links

• Encyclopedia of Life
• Wikipedia

Right Tarsometatarsus (Right Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones) of the Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans (MCZ 337109)

Rotate: left click on mouse
Zoom: right click on mouse (PC) or command and click (Mac)
Move: left and right click simultaneously (PC) or shift and click (Mac)

Phylogenic Position
Aves - Neognathae - Falconiformes - Falconidae - Herpetotheres - Herpetotheres cachinnans
Species Description
The Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) is the only member of the genus Herpetotheres. Its name comes from its characteristic voice which sounds like a loud laugh. The voice has a sharp pitch and resembles a human cry, moving from a joyful sound to a sad sound. At night the bird calls by repeating a "gwa" sound which is followed by a two-note cry. The Laughing Falcon can perch for hours and carries its food to perch. Found in Central and South America, and on the coasts of Mexico, this bird is characterized by a body 18-22 inches long and a wingspan of 31-37 inches. The Laughing Falcon is known for its pale buff head, a black face mask that reaches across neck resembling a collar, pale yellow feet, a dark brown upper body, and a black beak with a pale yellow swelling on top. It pounces on snakes, lizards, centipedes and bats from flight, the attacking from behind the neck of its prey. This species lays its eggs in the cracks of rocks, in the depths of trees and in nests that have been vacated. An interesting difference between the young and adult is the color of the heads; the young have a white head whereas the adults have a pale buff head. Though many may refer to the Laughing Falcon as the "Snake Hawk," do not be mistaken, this bird is not a hawk, but rather a specialist in the field of snake-eating and will even attack venomous snakes!
Specimen Information
Species	Herpetotheres cachinnans (Laughing Falcon)
Element	Right Tarsometatarsus (Right Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
Specimen Number	MCZ 337109
Sex	Female
Location	Costa Rica: Caribe
Geological Age	Recent
Technical Information
Scanner	Konica Minolta Range7
Resolution	40 µm
Number of Data Points	69780
Number of Data Polygons	34886
Date Scanned	July 07, 2010
Scan Technician	Abby Grace Drake
Edited By	Maggie Johnson
Photographs
View All 5 Images
Download Digital Model	Size
STL File Not Publicly Available	3.5 MB
Other Herpetotheres cachinnans (Laughing Falcon) Elements
Specimen	Element
MCZ 337109	Left Humerus (Left Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 337109	Furcula (Wishbone)
MCZ 337109	Right Humerus (Right Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 337109	Mandible (Jawbone )
MCZ 337109	Sternum (Breast Bone)
MCZ 337109	Left Tarsometatarsus (Left Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
Institution Data Use Policy
http://www.mcz.harvard.edu/privacy/user.html