![]() ![]() ![]() Despite being bird-eaters and bigger than Sociable Weavers, the Pygmy-falcons largely leave the latter alone, though they do occasionally catch and eat nestlings and even adults. In southern Africa, they are found around Red-billed Buffalo-weaver nests but predominantly nest in the vacant rooms of Sociable Weaver nests, which are large and multichambered-even if the Sociable Weavers still have an active colony in the nest. In Kenya, African Pygmy-falcon nest in White-headed Buffalo-weaver nests, and the ranges of the two birds coincide. IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=49486|title=Polihierax semitorquatus|downloaded= Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern.] This range is estimated to have an area of 2.7 million km 2, and the total population is estimated to be between 100,000 and 1 million birds. semitorquatus" occurs from Angola to northern South Africa. castanonotus" occurs from Sudan to Somalia and south to Uganda and Tanzania "P. The African Pygmy-falcon inhabits dry bush. ![]() The call is "a high-pitched "kikiKIK", repeated" (Kenya) or "a 'chip-chip' and a 'kik-kik-kik-kik'" (southern Africa). In size, pattern, and the habit of perching upright on an exposed branch or treetop, this species resembles some shrikes. | year = 1999 | title = Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania | publisher = Princeton University Press | pages = 90–91, 110–111, 309 | id = ISBN 2-6 | url = | accessdate = ] cite book | author = Sinclair, Ian Hockey, Phil and Tarboton, Warwick | year = 2002 | title = Birds of Southern Africa | publisher = Princeton University Press | pages = 116, 132 | id = ISBN 2-1 | url = | accessdate = ] The flight feathers of the wings are spotted black and white (more black above, more white below) the tail is barred black and white. Juveniles have a brown back, duller than adult females, and a rufous wash on the breast. As a small falcon, only 19 to 20 cm long, it preys on insects, small reptiles and even small mammals.Īdult African Pygmy-falcons are white below and on the face, grey above, the female having a chestnut back.There are white "eye spots" on the nape. Falcons are crepuscular, usually hunting in the morning and the evening when temperatures are more moderate.The African Pygmy-falcon ("Polihierax semitorquatus") is a falcon that lives in eastern and southern Africa, the smallest raptor of the continent. Although the weavers may fall to predation by the African pygmy falcons, they do receive protection from other predators including snakes. As “nest pirates,” pygmy falcons will occupy nests of some members of the weaver family. ![]() They communicate with each other through mutual head-bobbing and tail-wagging displays. All the adults may share in the care of nestlings. Behavior:Īfrican pygmy falcons are found in pairs or in groups of three to four. Sexual maturity is reached at about one year. The nestlings remain in the nest for one to two months after hatching, during which time they are fed by both parents. Both sexes will sit on the eggs for 28 to 30 days. Reproduction:įemale pygmy falcons typically lay eggs from October to November, with one to four eggs per nest. Occasionally they will eat small rodents and birds, including the weavers with which they live. They prey mainly on large insects and small lizards. Size:Īfrican pygmy falcons are carnivorous. Eyes are brown and beaks are blue-grey with a black top. Females have a chestnut brown back while males have a grey back. Their wings and tails are blackish with white spots. The African pygmy falcon’s face, rump and front of body are white. Alfred Huang North American Crane Exhibit.Support our Field Conservation Department.Louise Felton Zookeepers’ Memorial Fund.Jonathan Gilmour Memorial Scholarship Fund.Donate your Cell Phone to Help Gorillas.AZA SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction.Wildlife Trafficking Alliance: Be Informed.Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project.Protecting Habitats with the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.New England Blazing Star and Native Pollinators. ![]()
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