Magpie falcon

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Magpie falcon
Magpie falcon

Magpie falcon

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Falk-like (falconiformes)
Family : Falconies (Falconidae)
Subfamily : Merlin (Polihieracinae)
Genre : True pygmy falcon ( Microhierax )
Type : Magpie falcon
Scientific name
Microhierax melanoleucus
( Blyth , 1843)

The magpie falcon ( Microhierax melanoleucus ) is a bird from the falcon-like family (Falconidae).

Distribution area of ​​the magpie falcon ( Microhierax melanoleucus ) according to IUCN data

The bird is found in Southeast Asia in Bangladesh , Bhutan , China , Hong Kong , Laos , Northeast India ( Assam , Nagaland and Manipur ) and Vietnam .

The distribution area includes evergreen deciduous forests and wooded habitats , preferably forest edges, clearings, also open areas near rivers up to 1,500 m height.

description

The magpie falcon is 15-20 cm tall, weighs between 55 and 75 g, the wingspan is 33-37 cm. The pointed wings have a length of 11 to 12 cm, the rectangular, black tail with four narrow white bands is about 7 cm long. The sexes do not differ in their coloring, but the female is larger and heavier. Of all the real pygmy falcon ( Microhierax ), this one is the largest and longest-tailed. It resembles the European robin , has black and white pinnate without white on the neck with black on the top to the flanks and pure white underside. Sometimes there is a little black on the chest. The head pattern with white, transverse forehead stripes, black mask and parting is characteristic. The iris is brown, the wax skin slate-colored. The legs are dark brown to black.

voice

The call of the male is expressed as a shrill scream or whistle, also as a rattling call.

Way of life

The diet consists of larger insects , especially butterflies , grasshoppers , dragonflies , and also of smaller birds or lizards . He hunts from fixed hides, smaller insects are eaten on the fly, otherwise it is broken down on the hide. Can fly very quickly, as is typical of falcons, and also grabs birds larger than himself.

The breeding season is between March and May. Nests are made in abandoned tree hollows created by woodpeckers or bearded birds , very high and inaccessible. The clutch consists of 3 to 4 eggs. The young birds fly out in mid-May.

Hazardous situation

The stock is not considered to be at risk ( least concern ).

literature

  • Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Mead & Burton: Raptors of the World Houghton Mifflin 2001 ISBN 0-618-12762-3 .

Web links

Commons : Microhierax melanoleucus  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Elsterfälkchen in Avibase - The World Bird Database
  2. ↑ a b c d Handbook of the Birds of the World
  3. ↑ a b c d S. Ali: The Book of Indian Birds. Bombay Natural History Society, Oxford university Press, 13th ed. 2002, ISBN 978-0-19-566523-9
  4. ↑ Avibirds
  5. ↑ Redlist