Meet Africa’s smallest raptor, the African Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus). It may be diminutive in size, but it possesses a fierce hunting prowess and remarkable adaptability that belies its tiny stature. It is the sole species in its monotypic genus, Polihierax.
The African pygmy falcon (also called the pygmy falcon) is a tiny raptor. In fact, it's one of the smallest raptors on Earth. Adult pygmy falcons are about 20 cm (7.9 in) long.
This small species places its nests directly inside a chamber of a large weaver (bird) nest. The African Pygmy-falcon nest is often distinguishable because the rim of the entrance becomes coated with pinkish-white droppings.
The African pygmy falcon relies on weaver bird nests for their roosting and nest sites, especially sociable weavers in South Africa and white-headed buffalo weavers in northeast Africa. They also hole up in the nests of sparrow-weavers and glossy starlings. Pairs and their chicks roost together in the same weaver nest chamber until the young move on.
African Pygmy Falcon
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Appearance
These birds are white-bellied, extending up to the face, with males having grey on their backsides, and females have a chestnut back. The African pygmy falcon’s face, rump and front of body are white. Females have a chestnut brown back while males have a grey back. There are white "eye spots" on the nape.
Juveniles have a brown back, duller than adult females, with a rufous wash on the breast. Their wings and tails are blackish with white spots. Their flight style is low and undulating. It flies in an undulating manner - meaning it rises and falls slightly, up and down, up and down, as it flies. Eyes are brown and beaks are blue-grey with a black top.
Like the American Kestrel, males and females differ slightly in coloration. Both have bright white bellies, breasts and faces. Their heads are a lovely light gray. Males also have gray backs, while the females' backs are a rich chestnut color. Their wings are decorated with black and white feathers and their tails are also barred black and white. In flight, their white rump patch becomes easily visible. They have dark eyes, yellow-orange feet and ceres, and a gray bill.
Habitat and Distribution
Endemic to Northeastern and Southwestern Africa, pygmy falcons are sedentary creatures, rarely venturing far from their chosen habitat. Unlike some migratory birds that traverse vast distances with the changing seasons, pygmy Falcons prefer to remain in one place, where they have adapted to the local conditions over generations.
The pygmy falcon inhabits dry bush and live primarily in semi-desert and arid areas with limited vegetation such as acacia and thornbush. The African pygmy falcon lives primarily in semi-desert and arid areas with limited vegetation such as acacia and thornbush.
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This small falcon lives on the African continent and is found in two disjunct (not connected) populations, one in eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and other countries) and the other in southern Africa (Angola, Namibia, South Africa). These two populations are separated by tropical woodlands which the falcons tend to avoid. Rather, the African Pygmy-falcon spends its time in open, semi-arid landscapes with sparse ground cover and scattered trees, particularly Camelthorns (Acacia erioloba) in arid grasslands. It can be seen perching high in trees or on telephone poles.
Behavior and Diet
African Pygmy Falcon : Nature's Agile Hunter | Wildlife Documentary
Despite their small size, pygmy falcons are formidable hunters, employing a variety of hunting techniques to capture their prey. They are particularly adept at hunting in the early morning and evening when temperatures are cooler, preferring to avoid the heat of the day.
African pygmy falcons are carnivorous. They prey mainly on large insects and small lizards. It has a varied diet that includes insects, such as beetles and grasshoppers, and lizards - including skinks. It also feeds on snakes and rodents.
Pygmy falcons mostly eat reptiles and insects. Sometimes, they will eat small birds or rodents. They might also eat small mammals that are the right size. They hunt by sitting on a high branch. Once it has its prey clutched in its talons, it will bring its meal to an exposed perch to eat. Even though it is rare, this falcon has been documented preying on adults and nestlings of the weavers they share their nests with.
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Nesting Habits
One of the most fascinating aspects of the pygmy falcon’s behavior is its nesting habits. Rather than constructing their own nests, these resourceful birds take over chambers within the massive communal nests built by weaver birds.
As “nest pirates,” pygmy falcons will occupy nests of some members of the weaver family. Although the weavers may fall to predation by the African pygmy falcons, they do receive protection from other predators including snakes. The African pygmy falcon prefers larger weaver nest masses, occupying 12 to 25 percent of nest masses available.
In Kenya, pygmy falcons nest in white-headed buffalo weaver nests, and the ranges of the two birds coincide. 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 addition, falcons are obligate users of white-headed buffalo weaver nests; therefore, they experience all of the benefits these nests provide without the energetic cost of building or maintaining them.
Weavers also do not maintain these nest chambers occupied by falcons, increasing the likelihood that these particular chambers will break off the main colony . However, falcons appear to have a preference for chambers away from the center of the colony and with shorter entrance tunnels.
Pygmy falcons mark their nests by the use of their faecal matter, but the reasons behind this is unknown. It has been suggested that this conspicuous faecal mat (white when fresh and turning pinkish with age) present at the entrance of the chamber could deter snakes and reduce the number of ectoparasites. Faecal matter is also thought to boost the immune system of chicks as well as signal to conspecifics.
The falcons are not just moochers, though. In the southwest portion of their range, the pygmy falcons fearlessly protect the homestead from snakes and rodents (and score a meal), so it’s a symbiotic arrangement. But in the northeastern part of their range, where they utilize white-headed buffalo weaver nests, those “host” birds can ward off predators, so they gain little from the interlopers.
Breeding and Social Behavior
Female pygmy falcons typically lay eggs from October to November, with one to four eggs per nest. Both sexes will sit on the eggs for 28 to 30 days. The nestlings remain in the nest for one to two months after hatching, during which time they are fed by both parents.
As nesting season gets underway, these falcons will engage more frequently in some beautiful displays that help form a pair bond with their chosen mate. These displays include vocalizations, as well as head-bobbing, bowing, and tail pumping.
When the time is right, the female will lay between 2 and 3 eggs. They are spherical and bright white. The eggs must be incubated for around a month. Though both the male and female are responsible for incubation duties, the female's share of the work is larger. However, this doesn't mean that the male isn't pulling his own weight. He is responsible for bringing food to the female and nestlings. When the nestlings hatch they are small and covered in soft, white down feathers. They will remain in the nest, growing and getting stronger, for about 30 days. At that time, they will be ready to fledge, or fly for the first time. These young birds will stay in their parents' territory for up to two more months as they learn to hunt and avoid danger.
Breeding occurs between August and February, with a peak in September and December. Pygmy falcon territories are occasionally inhabited by groups, where there are more than two adults living together and tending nestlings. There are four potential reasons for this behaviour: defence, co-operative polyandry, delayed dispersal of offspring and cooperation, and thermoregulation (warmth).
African pygmy falcons are found in pairs or in groups of three to four. All the adults may share in the care of nestlings. They communicate with each other through mutual head-bobbing and tail-wagging displays.
According to some scientists, females occasionally breed with multiple males (polyandrous) and it is not uncommon for two or more males to attend the same nest. The female lays her eggs between June and December in northeast Africa, and August through March in South Africa. Double clutching is not uncommon in favorable years.
Calling, head-bobbing, and bowing displays, with tail-pumping for good measure, increase prior to nesting. The pair occupies a weaver nest chamber, with the lip of the entrance becoming coated in white droppings that turn pink over time. The falcon’s eggs hatch after about a monthlong incubation period. Hatching is asynchronous, so youngsters may be different sizes. Chicks have fluffy white down feathers and fledge at 27 to 40 days.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | About 20 cm (7.9 in) long |
| Appearance | White belly and face; males have grey backs, females have chestnut backs; white "eye spots" on nape |
| Habitat | Dry bush, semi-desert, and arid areas with acacia and thornbush |
| Diet | Mainly large insects and small lizards; also eats snakes, rodents, and small birds |
| Nesting | Occupies chambers in weaver bird nests |
| Breeding | August to February, peak in September and December; 2-3 eggs |
Conservation Status
The African Pygmy-falcon is categorized as Least Concern and its population appears to be stable. This means that researchers feel confident that this species' population will continue to do well into the foreseeable future.
This little falcon is mostly a resident where found, but there is some local movement in drier parts of its range-they head to moister habitats when needed.
