African Pygmy Falcon - Polihierax semitorquatus - The birds of prey site of Robert Goedegebuur

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African Pygmy Falcon

English name (African) Pygmy Falcon

Scientific name Polihierax semitorquatus

Dutch name Afrikaanse halsbandvalk / Afrikaanse dwergvalk

Family Falconidae - Falcons and Caracaras

Subfamily Polihieracinae - Falconets

Length 18 - 19,5 cm

Span not available yet

Weigth not available yet

Voice High-pitched, penetrating;
kiki-KIK or kiKIK-kikiki, often repeated;
squeaky tsip-tsip or twee-twee-twip;
ki-ki-ki-ki threat call.
Quite vocal, especially between members of pair.

Length of life not available yet

Range Namibia, southwestern Botswana, northern Cape, southwestern Transvaal and
extreme west Orange Free State (coincides with range of Sociable Weaver);
Possibly also southern Mozambique, northern Kruger National Park;
Separate population in East Africa.

Habitat Arid to semi-arid Acacia savanna;
also arid scrub with Aloe dichotoma.

Prey Large insects and small lizards;
less often small rodents and birds;
rarely nestlings and adults of Sociable Weaver.

Lay eggs in August to March (peak October-November);
may raise 2 broods.

Number of eggs 1 - 4, usualy 3

Size of egg 28 x 22,5 mm

Sit on eggs 28 - 30 days by both sexes (mostly by female).

Time to fly out 27 - 40 days, usually about 30 days;
Fed by both parents;
Postnestling period up to 2 months.

Identification Small, shrikelike in size and appearance;
grey above, white below; Female has deep chestnut upper back;
wings and tail blackish, spotted white (diagnostic);
rump white, conspicuous in flight.
Iris brown; bill blue-grey, tip black;
cere and eyering red-orange; legs and feet pinkish orange.
Immature: Similar to adult, but washed with rufous on back and breast.
Chick: Downy white; skin and bare parts pink; iris brown.

Remark 1 Solitary or in pairs; sometimes 3-4 together.
Remark 2 Nearly always found near nests of Sociable Weavers,
less often of Whitebrowed Sparrowweavers, in which it roosts;
occupied chambers recognizable by coating of white droppings at entrance.

Remark 3 Perches on top of dead tree or telephone pole, scanning ground;
drops in quick stoop to catch prey; may catch insects in flight.
Remark 4 Flight fast and undulating, woodpeckerlike.
has mutual head-bobbing and tail-wagging displays.

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Links to other sites about this bird:
Don Roberson - The Falcon family
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English name	(African) Pygmy Falcon
Scientific name	Polihierax semitorquatus
Dutch name	Afrikaanse halsbandvalk / Afrikaanse dwergvalk
Family	Falconidae - Falcons and Caracaras
Subfamily	Polihieracinae - Falconets
Length	18 - 19,5 cm
Span	not available yet
Weigth	not available yet
Voice	High-pitched, penetrating; kiki-KIK or kiKIK-kikiki, often repeated; squeaky tsip-tsip or twee-twee-twip; ki-ki-ki-ki threat call. Quite vocal, especially between members of pair.
Length of life	not available yet
Range	Namibia, southwestern Botswana, northern Cape, southwestern Transvaal and extreme west Orange Free State (coincides with range of Sociable Weaver); Possibly also southern Mozambique, northern Kruger National Park; Separate population in East Africa.
Habitat	Arid to semi-arid Acacia savanna; also arid scrub with Aloe dichotoma.
Prey	Large insects and small lizards; less often small rodents and birds; rarely nestlings and adults of Sociable Weaver.
Lay eggs in	August to March (peak October-November); may raise 2 broods.
Number of eggs	1 - 4, usualy 3
Size of egg	28 x 22,5 mm
Sit on eggs	28 - 30 days by both sexes (mostly by female).
Time to fly out	27 - 40 days, usually about 30 days; Fed by both parents; Postnestling period up to 2 months.
Identification	Small, shrikelike in size and appearance; grey above, white below; Female has deep chestnut upper back; wings and tail blackish, spotted white (diagnostic); rump white, conspicuous in flight. Iris brown; bill blue-grey, tip black; cere and eyering red-orange; legs and feet pinkish orange. Immature: Similar to adult, but washed with rufous on back and breast. Chick: Downy white; skin and bare parts pink; iris brown.
Remark 1	Solitary or in pairs; sometimes 3-4 together.
Remark 2	Nearly always found near nests of Sociable Weavers, less often of Whitebrowed Sparrowweavers, in which it roosts; occupied chambers recognizable by coating of white droppings at entrance.
Remark 3	Perches on top of dead tree or telephone pole, scanning ground; drops in quick stoop to catch prey; may catch insects in flight.
Remark 4	Flight fast and undulating, woodpeckerlike. has mutual head-bobbing and tail-wagging displays.