Laughing Falcon

The Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans), also called the Snake Hawk (erroneously, since it is not a hawk), is a medium-sized bird of prey in the falcon family (Falconidae), the only member of the genus Herpetotheres. This Neotropical species is a specialist snake-eater. Its common and scientific names both refer to its distinctive voice.

Read more about Laughing Falcon:  Taxonomy, Description, Distribution and Habitat, Behaviour

Famous quotes containing the words laughing and/or falcon:

    It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding. The only idea of wit, or rather that inferior variety of the electric talent which prevails occasionally in the North, and which, under the name of “Wut,” is so infinitely distressing to people of good taste, is laughing immoderately at stated intervals.
    Sydney Smith (1771–1845)

    My falcon now is sharp and passing empty,
    And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
    For then she never looks upon her lure.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)