Microhierax fringillarius (Drapiez, 1824)

Scientific Classification and Overall Morphology

Microhierax fringillarius (Drapiez, 1824) is a very small shrike-like falcon that often holds its squarish tail spread open.

Adult Male Upper Body Plumage

The adult male has glossy black plumage on its upper body, with a white forehead streak that curves around its black cheeks.

Adult Male Underbody Plumage

Its throat is white or washed with rufous, its breast is white, and the coloration gradually shifts to rufous on its abdomen. Its thighs, flanks, cere, and legs are all black.

Adult Male Flight Wing Markings

When in flight, the undersides of the male's wings are white, with black barring on the primary and secondary flight feathers, and light streaking on the underwing coverts.

Adult Male Tail Markings

The male's black tail has three distinct white bars on its underside.

Adult Female Morphology

The adult female is almost identical to the adult male, except for having a longer tail.

Juvenile Morphology

Juveniles resemble adult birds, but the white areas on the head are rufous instead.

Vocalizations

This species produces a hard, high-pitched cry called shiew, and a fast repeated call kli-kli-kli-kli.

Primary Habitat Types

Its typical habitat includes forest, forest edges, and open wooded areas.

Anthropogenic and Riparian Habitat Associations

It is also frequently found near human agricultural land, villages, and active slash-and-burn forest clearing sites, most often close to rivers, streams, and paddy fields.

Elevation Range

Most populations of this falcon live at elevations below 1,500 meters.

Diet Composition

This tiny falconet feeds mainly on insects, including moths, butterflies, dragonflies, alate termites, and cicadas; it occasionally eats small birds and lizards.

Social Feeding Behavior

Feeding behavior is often social, and feeding groups of up to ten individuals have been recorded.

Prey Capture Method

Most prey is caught during quick flights launched from a perched position.