These young birds will stay in their parents' territory for up to two more months as they learn to hunt and avoid danger. At that time, they will be ready to fledge, or fly for the first time. They will remain in the nest, growing and getting stronger, for about 30 days. When the nestlings hatch they are small and covered in soft, white down feathers. He is responsible for bringing food to the female and nestlings. However, this doesn't mean that the male isn't pulling his own weight. 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. When the time is right, the female will lay between 2 and 3 eggs. These displays include vocalizations, as well as head-bobbing, bowing, and tail pumping. The Pygmy Falcon nest is often distinguishable because the rim of the entrance becomes coated with pinkish-white droppings.Īs nesting season gets underway, these falcons will engage more frequently in some beautiful displays that help form a pair bond with their chosen mate. This small species places its nests directly inside a chamber of a large weaver (bird) nest. While the Ridgway's Hawk in Dominican Republic often builds its nest atop the multi-chambered nests of Palmchats, the Pygmy falcon takes it one step further. Even though it is rare, this falcon has been documented preying on adults and nestlings of the weavers they share their nests with. It also feeds on snakes and rodents. Once it has its prey clutched in its talons, it will bring its meal to an exposed perch to eat. It has a varied diet that includes insects, such as beetles and grasshoppers, and lizards - including skinks. Though it can take prey on the wing (particularly small birds), it prefers to wait on a perch and pounce on its prey from above. This small raptor is an accomplished hunter. This means that researchers feel confident that this species' population will continue to do well into the foreseeable future. The Pygmy Falcon is categorized as Least Concern and its population appears to be stable. Researchers have described their main call as a quick series of 3–4 short squeals. Like most birds, this small falcon has a variety of calls and songs it uses to communicate with other members of its species. The Pygmy Falcon flies in an undulating manner - meaning it rises and falls slightly, up and down, up and down, as it flies. The Pygmy Falcon is about the size of a shrike and has an unusual flight pattern for a falcon. They have dark eyes, yellow-orange feet and ceres, and a gray bill. In flight, their white rump patch becomes easily visible. Their wings are decorated with black and white feathers and their tails are also barred black and white. Males also have gray backs, while the females' backs are a rich chestnut color. Both have bright white bellies, breasts and faces. The Pygmy Falcon is a stunning bird! Like the American Kestrel, male and female Pygmy Falcons differ slightly in coloration. This species roosts and nests on the nests of other birds, particularly weaver species including Social Weaver and White-headed Buffalo-weaver. It can be seen perching high in trees or on telephone poles. Rather, the 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 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. This small falcon lives on the African continent. We also supply literature to researchers from our avian research library, which helps scientists around the world gather and share important information on raptor conservation. Though The Peregrine Fund doesn't work directly with Pygmy Falcons, our efforts in scientific research, habitat conservation, education, and community development help conserve raptors on a global scale.
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