Collared Falconet
Microhierax caerulescens
This tiny falcon is usually seen perched high up on an exposed snag towering above open forests. Generally uncommon and sparsely distributed throughout its range. Black above and pale below with rusty red throat and vent. Long dark stripe trailing behind the eye gives the bird a rather comical, panda-like appearance. Social; lives in family groups that are often seen grooming one another.
Identification
The collared falconet is a very small falcon, shrike-like in shape, mainly pied and having bold white supercilia and collar, with relatively heavy double-toothed bill. It has shortish wings, a medium-length tail, strong half-feathered legs, and powerful feet. It perches conspicuously on top or edge of tree or bush, often on dead twig, frequently bobbing head and slowly moving tail up and down; wing-tips less than half down tail. Sexes are similar.
Taxonomy
The first description by a European ornithologist was published by George Edwards in 1750, as "the little black and orange colour'd Indian hawk". It was from a specimen that had been collected in Bengal and sent to the king's physician, Richard Mead. In 1758 the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus used the illustration and description by Edwards to formally describe the species under the binomial name Falco cærulescens In 1760 the French naturalist Mathurin Jacques Brisson also used Edwards' publication to describe le Faucon de Bengale. Although the white collar was not mentioned, the English ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe believed that this was the collared falconet. Richard Bowdler Sharpe introduced the genus Microhierax in 1874, from the Greek μικρόσ ἱεραξ meaning "tiny hawk".
- Scientific name
- Microhierax caerulescens
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Family
- Falconidae
- Genus
- Microhierax
Range and habitat
Mainland southeast Asia: Himalayan foothills of north India (northern Uttar Pradesh northwest to Kumaun, and Sikkim, Bengal, mainly northern Assam) and of Nepal and Bhutan, and from Burma (central and east, south to Tenasserim), Thailand (northwest and west, but not peninsular, also in strip east of central plains), Laos(central and south), Cambodia (especially north), and Vietnam. Open deciduous forest, clearings and edges in evergreen forest, abandoned hill cultivation with some trees; often near water. Mostly 200–800 m (660–2,620 ft), fairly regularly to 1,700 m (5,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Javan Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus glaucinus
Chunky dark blue bird. Brightest blue on the nape and shoulder. Readily distinguished from similar species by shape, uniform plumage, and dark bill. Often spreads its short tail in a rather unimpressive gesture. Endemic to Java and Bali, where it inhabits foothill and montane forests at 800-2400 meters. Typically encountered close to or on the ground, but will also perch up on branches at mid-height. Favors areas with rocky outcrops, sometimes (but not always) near water. Can be quite tame, especially in areas frequented by people. Gives a sharp, resonant “tsee-chk-chk!”
Buff-spotted Woodpecker
Pardipicus nivosus
A small, relatively dark woodpecker of humid forest. Mostly dark olive-green with a paler face and underparts. The throat is streaked, the breast is spotted, and the belly is barred. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head. Found in rainforest and thick secondary forest at low and middle elevations. Spends most of its time at middle levels and in the understory. Similar to Brown-eared Woodpecker, but smaller, without a dark cheek patch. Also reminiscent of Green-backed and Little Green Woodpeckers, but separated by the spotted rather than barred breast. Not very vocal, but does give a descending, mournful whistle.
Black-capped Tanager
Stilpnia heinei
Small, active tanager with notably different male and female plumages. Male is steely blue overall with slightly darker wings. Look for sea-green throat and cheek, streaked upper breast, and contrasting black cap and nape. Female is mostly lime green with pale bluish head and breast; she has just a ghosting of the male’s black cap. Usually found in pairs, often following a mixed-species flock in the canopy. An Andean species, found in subtropical forest, edges, and gardens. Visits fruit feeders.
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