the pygmy falcon, sometimes known as the african pygmy falcon, is the smallest bird of prey to the african continent, and one of the world’s smallest raptors. adult birds are only about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length - about the size of a sharpened pencil. they are found in eastern & southern africa. both sexes have white bellies; males have gray backsides, while females’ backs are chestnut brown. juveniles have brown backsides as well, though they are duller than adult females, with a notable rufous breast. the flight feathers & tails of the birds are black and white. due to their small size and behavior in flight, they can be mistaken for some shrike species from a distance. their call is a rapid series of rasps or squeals. pygmy falcons have a varied diet; reptiles and insects form the base of their diet, but they will also feed on birds and small mammals. they hunt by waiting on a high perch for prey to pass by, diving down and grabbing their victims. during the breeding season, pygmy falcons take residence in a variety of nests, none built by the falcons themselves; in some parts of their range, they will nest within the large, multichambered colony nests of the sociable weaver, even with the weavers using other portions of the ‘building’. (resident falcons will largely leave the weavers alone, though they may occasionally predate on their neighbors). the maximum clutch size for pygmy falcons is only 3 eggs; they typically breed once per year, but can have up to three clutches in a breeding season. pygmy falcon territories are sometimes inhabited by groups, with multiple adults outside of a pair bond living together and tending nestlings; it’s unclear why this behavior occurs, though it could have many potential benefits - increased safety for nestlings, thermoregulation, and better defense. during winter, they may stay within their pirated nest chambers for up to 15 hours a day to conserve heat. pygmy falcons have a stable population size, and are considered least concern by the IUCN.
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