![]() ![]() ![]() 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. 1 Wildlife Disease Laboratories, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA (Burns, Rideout)Veterinary Services, San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA (Bicknese)Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health (Qvarnstrom) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GAInfectious Disease Pathology Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DeLeon-Carnes, Drew) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GAVeterinary Pathology Service, Joint Pathology Service, Silver Spring, MD (Gardiner) 2 Wildlife Disease Laboratories, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA (Burns, Rideout)Veterinary Services, San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA (Bicknese)Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health (Qvarnstrom) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GAInfectious Disease Pathology Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DeLeon-Carnes, Drew) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GAVeterinary Pathology Service, Joint Pathology Service, Silver Spring, MD (Gardiner).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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