Philippine falconet

The Philippine falconet (Microhierax erythrogenys) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. It is fairly common on Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro and Visayas but is absent elsewhere.

Philippine falconet
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Microhierax
Species:
M. erythrogenys
Binomial name
Microhierax erythrogenys
(Vigors, 1831)

Habitat

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, both primary and secondary. Seen singly or in pairs, it perches on prominent branches on old dead trees from which it hawks for flying insects. It nests in old woodpecker holes.

Description

The upperparts, flanks and thighs are a glossy blue-black, the underparts white and the beak and feet black. The call is a noisy `kek-kek-kek-kek` while diving for prey. It is about 15 cm in length.

References

  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Microhierax erythrogenys". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)


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