Wildlifeof China
Pied Falconet
Birds of Prey
Photo: (c) Rohit Naniwadekar, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Microhierax melanoleucos
Basic stats
Habitat
Temperate forests; nests in old barbet or woodpecker holes on a bed of leaves or grass
Range
North-eastern India to east China and South-east Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos and Vietnam
Clutch size
3–4 white eggs
Size
About 18–19cm
Weight
55–75g
The pied falconet, also known as the white-legged falconet, is a small black and white raptor about 18–19cm (7–7.5 inches) long, weighing 55–75g. The upperparts, including the crown, are completely black. It belongs to a genus that includes the smallest birds of prey in the world, and while quite distinct in form from other birds of prey, its members are quite similar to each other (Wikipedia, general species account).
It ranges from north-eastern India to east China and south-east Asia, in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos and Vietnam, and its natural habitat is given as temperate forests. It nests in old barbet or woodpecker holes, with the females laying three or four white eggs on a bed of leaves or grass, and is usually perched on treetops (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Pied Falconet live in?
- Temperate forests; nests in old barbet or woodpecker holes on a bed of leaves or grass
- Where is the Pied Falconet found?
- North-eastern India to east China and South-east Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos and Vietnam
- How many eggs does the Pied Falconet lay?
- 3–4 white eggs
- How big is the Pied Falconet?
- About 18–19cm
- How much does the Pied Falconet weigh?
- 55–75g