Falconiformes / Falconidae / Microhierax
Pied Falconet
Microhierax melanoleucos · 白腿小隼
Introduction
A species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, found in temperate forests across parts of South and Southeast Asia. It nests in old woodpecker or barbet cavities and is listed as Least Concern due to a large home range and stable population size.
Description
Measures 7 to 7.5 inches in length and weighs between 55 and 75 g. Plumage is black and white with no sexual dimorphism; juveniles resemble adults. The face is white with a prominent black patch covering the eyes and ear coverts. Upper parts, including the crown, are completely black. Primaries are black with white wing bars. The tail is black above and barred black and white below. Distinctive white thighs lack the chestnut coloration seen in related species.
Identification
Distinguished from other Microhierax species by white thighs and absence of chestnut coloration. Differentiated from the ashy woodswallow by blacker upper parts, whereas the woodswallow is grey-ash. Often perched on tree tops.
Distribution & Habitat
Range extends from north-eastern India (including Bangladesh and Bhutan) to east China (including Hong Kong) and south-east Asia (Laos and Vietnam). Inhabits deciduous forest edges, clearings in wooded foothills, and old cultivation lands with banks and streams. It is a resident, non-migratory species.
Behavior & Ecology
Diet consists mainly of insects, but also includes small mammals, reptiles, and birds caught mid-flight or plucked from foliage. Breeding season occurs from March to May. Courtship involves males presenting leaves to females and bobbing up and down while calling. Nests in old barbet or woodpecker holes, lining them with leaves, grass, or insect remains. Females lay three to four white eggs. Observed in groups of 5 or 6, suggesting possible cooperative breeding. Vocalizations include a shrill, high-pitched scream and chattering whistle; males produce rapid call sequences during courtship.
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern due to its large home range and stable population size.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Family
- Falconidae
- Genus
- Microhierax
Distribution
forest of northeastern India to southern China and northern Indochina
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
