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The pied falconet, (Microhierax melanoleucos) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.

These raptors belong to the genus Microheriax, which includes the smallest bird of prey species in the world. The Pied falconet, also known as the White-legged falconet, is black and white which nest in old woodpecker holes. It is a species of least concerns because of its large home range and stable population size.

Description
The Pied falconet is a small black and white raptor, measuring between 7-7 ½ inches and weight between 55-75 g. Its face is white with a prominent black patch covering the eyes reaching to the ear coverts and with a yellowish beak. The upper parts, including the crown, are completely black. The primaries are black with white wing bars. Its long tail has black upper parts and is black with white bars from below.

The species belonging to the genus Microheriax are the smallest members of the order Falconiformes. While they have a very distinct morphology compared to other birds of prey, within the Microhierax genus, they are quite similar. These are allopatric species, except for M. fringillarius and M. latifrons, and mostly likely play very similar ecological roles in each of the habitats as a result of the morphological similarities within the genus.

Taxonomy
The Pied falconet belongs to the family Falconidae of the order Falconiformes. The family Falconidae is split into two sub-families, the Herpetotherinae and the Falconinae. The Falconinae family is then also split into two tribes, the first tribe is the Caracini, which includes five genera: Daptrius, Ibycter, Milvago, Caracara and Phalcoboenus. The second tribe is the Falconini which includes the genera Polihierax, Falco, Spiziaptteryx and Microhierax.   The species belonging to the genera Polihierax and Microhierax are the smallest diurnal raptors in the world. The Pied falconet is one of the five species in the Microhierax genus. The four other species of this genus include.


 * Collared falconet, Microheriax caerulescens
 * Black-thighed flconet, Microhierax fringillarius
 * White-fronted falconet, Microhiera latifrons
 * Philippine falconet, Microhierax erythrogenys

Habitat and Distribution
The Pied falconet ranges from north-eastern India to east China and south-east Asia. They are found in deciduous forest edges and clearings in wooded foothills. This species likes clearing such as old cultivation lands with banks and stream. They are usually perched on tree tops while occasionally flying off to catch prey. These birds are not migratory birds, they are a resident species, staying in the same area for most of the year.

Vocalization
This species produces a shrill, high pitched scream and chattering whistle. The males will also produce a rapid sequence of calls to the female as a courtship behavior before mating. The call starts as high-pitched and excited and then slows until the females decides to mate. Afterwards, the male will continue to call for a few more seconds.

Diet
Most of the Pied falconet's diet comprises of insects. They also feed on on small mammals, reptiles and other birds about the same size of a thrush. This bird of prey catches its prey while flying over its prey and catching it mid-flight or plucking it out of the foliage of the surrounding trees.

Reproduction
The Pied falconet’s breeding season is the from the months of March until May. In the early breeding season, the males will initiate interest in mating to a female by presenting leaves to them. The male would fly off and return to a perched female and present a leaf that he gathered to the female. Later in the breeding season, usually before copulation, the males will bob up and down very frequently in front of the female while calling frantically. Copulation takes place after this behavior. These small raptors nest in old barbet or woodpecker holes and lay their eggs on a bed of leaves or grasses. There have also been recordings of the nesting cavities being filled with insect remains instead of leaves. The females lay three to four eggs which are white in color.

The Pied falconet shares many similarities in courtship and mating behavior with the Collard falconet (Microheriax caerulescens). The leaf presenting courtship behavior was first observed by the Collard falconet. The Collard falconet is also known to breed cooperatively. Cooperative breeding is another behavior that is also suspected for the Blacked-thighed falconet (Microhierax fringillarius) and for the other Microhierax species. The Pied falconet can be seen in groups of 5 or 6 which suggest that they may also breed cooperatively.

External Link

 * Microhierax melanoleucos Vocalization - xeno-canto
 * Range Map of Microhierax melanoleucos - IUCN Red List
 * eBird Distribution Map - Pied Falconet
 * Pied Falconet Photographs - VIREO by Drexel University

pied falconet Category:Birds of Northeast India Category:Birds of South China Category:Birds of Myanmar Category:Birds of Laos Category:Birds of Vietnam pied falconet Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot