A remarkable new species of small falcon from the Quaternary of Cuba (Aves : Falconidae : Falco)

Abstract

An enigmatic small falcon, Falco kurochkini, new species, is described from postcranial bones from several Quaternary sites in western and central Cuba. It was approximately intermediate in size between F. sparverius and F. columbarius but had proportionately longer and more slender leg elements than any living species of Falco. It is hypothesized that F. kurochkini may have been terrestrial, pursuing prey on foot, and that its extinction could have been related to terrestrial nesting habits as well.