Distribution and identification of the White-collared Kite Leptodon forbesi and the juvenile plumages of the Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis

Abstract

The genus Leptodon encompasses two Neotropical raptor species. The more widely-distributed Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis) occurs in a vast area of Neotropical region, while the White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is endemic of the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, but there are some questions about the extent of its geographic distribution and about its sympatry with its congener. Here we present a review of the geographic distribution and the diagnoses of L. forbesi, correcting recent records based on misidentifications. We also clarify the main features of juvenile and subadult plumage of Leptodon raptors and describe new phases of juvenile plumage.

Avifauna of the Serra de Itabaiana National Park revisited: additions and deletions in a period of 15 years

“…During the update and revision of the bird species registered for PARNASI, some species needed to be corrected: (1) the species Leptodon forbesi (Swann, 1922), recorded in 2016 by Silva and Lima (2016), was not considered because it was not properly identified; in fact, it is the Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis Latham, 1790) (Lima, Menq, & Pallinger, 2020), later confirmed by Silva et al (2020); (2) Ortalis guttata (Spix, 1825) was considered in the list because it was registered for the state of Sergipe by Pacheco and Whitney (1995) and for PARNASI by Sousa (2009); (3) the identification and inclusion of Thamnophilus pelzelni (Hellmayr, 1924) and Thamnophilus ambiguus (Swainson, 1825), two species of Thamnophilidae with subtle differences in vocal and plumage patterns, by analyzing the sonograms and photo records available on the WikiAves website and in personal files; (4) the replacement of Polioptila plumbea (Gmelin, 1788) by Polioptila atricapilla (Swainson, 1831), previously considered a subspecies of the first (Pacheco et al, 2021); and (5) the replacement of Hylophilus poicilotis (Temminck, 1822), recorded only in D' Horta et al (2005), by Hylophilus amaurocephalus (Nordmann, 1835), because PARNASI is not part of the occurrence area of H. poicilotis (Raposo, Parrini, & Napoli, 1998).…”

Book Review: Aves de Rapina Do Brasil: Volume I – Diurnos

“…But, as pointed out by the authors, the rufous morph of juvenile plumage in Gray-headed Kite ( Leptodon cayanensis ) may also mimic the Ornate Hawk-Eagle, while the pale morph may mimic the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle (Menq 2013, Prum 2014). Gray-headed Kite mimicry in the former goes one step further: as Pallinger illustrates, the Ornate Hawk-Eagle mimetic rufous morph of the juvenile Gray-headed Kite sometimes sports a substantial crest (Menq 2013, Lima et al 2020)! Perhaps what is even more intriguing is that no crested adults have been observed (F. Pallinger, pers.…”