Philippine falconet

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)

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

Habitat

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland primary and secondary forests. 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 16 cm in length.

References


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