Collared falconet

Microhierax caerulescens

Photo by Guy Poisson (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
collared falconet (en); falcãozinho-de-colar (pt); fauconnet à collier (fr); falconete acollarado (es); rotkehlfälkchen (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Falconidae

Range:
This species is found in from Nepal, southern China ans northern India, through Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and into southern Vietnam and Thailand.

Size:
This tiny falcon is 15-18 cm long and has a wingspan of 30-34 cm. They weigh 35-50 g.

Habitat:
The collared falconet is found in deciduous and evergreen forests, and in open woodlands, especially in forests clearing and along forest edges. They are present at altitudes of 200-800 m.

Diet:
They mainly feed on insects, especially butterflies, but also dragonflies, lantern flies, grasshoppers, beetles, and cicadas. They are also known to hunt small forest birds and lizards.

Breeding:
Collared falconets breed in February-May. They nest in old woodpecker or barbet nests, lined with dry leaves, usually 6-12 m above the ground. There the female lays 4-5 white eggs, sometimes with small reddish spots. The female is responsible for most of the incubation and the chicks are fed by both the breeding pair and up to 3 other adults. There is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledging periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common in parts of its range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.