The Raptor That Follows Monkeys

Deep in the forests of Central and South America, a small raptor glides through filtered light, its white rump flashing between branches. The Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus) is not the most imposing of birds of prey—measuring just 33 to 38 centimeters in length and weighing barely 230 grams—but its hunting strategy is one of the forest’s most curious.

Photo by James Zeng – Shenzhen Birdwatching Society of China

Rather than soaring over open fields in search of prey, this kite prefers a more subtle tactic: it follows monkeys.

In Panama, it is most often seen shadowing Mantled Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata) and occasionally Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). As these primates move through the canopy, they disturb insects, lizards, and other small creatures hidden among the leaves. The kite, watching from a nearby perch or drifting silently behind, takes advantage of the chaos—swooping in to snatch up the fleeing prey. The monkeys remain largely unaware of their airborne companion, making the relationship an example of commensal foraging, where one species benefits and the other is unaffected.

This behavior offers birdwatchers a unique opportunity: where there are howler monkeys, there may well be a Double-toothed Kite not far behind.

With a range extending from Mexico to Bolivia, including much of the Amazon Basin and the lowland rainforests of Panama, the Double-toothed Kite is more widespread than it is well known. But once spotted—especially in flight, with its distinctive white rump patch—it becomes an unforgettable presence in the forest’s upper levels.

Sources

Willis, E. O. (1966). The role of migrant birds at swarms of army ants. Living Bird, 5, 187–231.
Terborgh, J. (1983). Five New World Primates: A Study in Comparative Ecology. Princeton University Press.
Robinson, S. K. (1985). Foraging ecology and habitat use of forest bird communities in lowland Panama. University of Illinois.
Angehr, G. R., & Dean, R. (2008). The Birds of Panama: A Field Guide. Cornell University Press.
Hilty, S. L. (2005). Birds of Tropical America: A Watcher’s Introduction to Behavior, Breeding, and Diversity. University of Texas Press.