The pied falconet, or Microhierax melanoleucos, is a small-sized raptor from the family Falconidae. It is found in the temperate forests of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Laos and Vietnam. The pied falconet is about the size of a household sparrow and has the distinction of being the smallest falcon in the world. It is a black and white raptor weighing about 75 gms. It has a white face with a prominent black streak that runs through its eye backwards and downwards like an artist’s brush stroke. Its upper parts as well as its crown are black and its long tail is black with narrow white bands running across it. Its eyes are bright brown and its heavy feet are brownish black with sharp, well formed talons. It is also called ‘white-legged falconet’ and its call is a shrill, high pitched scream and chattering whistle.
It is a non-migratory bird and stays in the same region all year. In northeast India, these birds are commonly found in pairs or groups of up to 5. It prefers deciduous forest edges and forest clearings. It perches on trees watching for prey and darts out to catch it mid-flight or pluck it out of a tree or surrounding foliage. It feeds on insects, small mammals, reptiles and even other birds. Make no mistake, this endearing-looking bird is primarily a hunter and will prey on birds much larger than itself, including thrushes!
It makes its nests in old woodpecker holes and reuses them the following year. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 4 white eggs in early March and the young generally fledge (are ready to fly) in mid-May. The species is listed under ‘Least Concern’ because of its large home range and stable population size.
Picture Credit : Google
