Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

FM Forum Rules
Nature & Wildlife Posting Guidelines
  

FM Forums | Nature & Wildlife | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       end
  

Archive 2012 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1

  
 
Frogfish
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Well almost. I was shooting some Pied Falconet's last weekend in Wuyuan, China. Here's some excerpts on the birds :-
______________

The average size of the world's smallest falcons is about 15 cm (6 in.), and weigh 35 g (1.23 oz.). There are about 10 or so very small falcons, found in different regions and habitats across the world. The smallest are the Black-thighed Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius) found throughout Southeast Asia, and the White-fronted Falconet (Microhierax latifrons) on the island of Borneo.

Other species of the Falconet genus Microhierax include the Collared Falconet (Microhierax caerulescens), the Philippine Falconet, Microhierax erythrogenys) and the Pied Falconet (Microhierax melanoleucus).

The Spot-winged Falconet (Spiziapteryx circumcincta) is found in south america.

Another group of small falcons are the Pygmy falcons belonging to the genus Polihierax which includes the african Pygmy-falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) the White-rumped Falcon or White-rumped Pygmy-falcon (Polihierax insignis).

By comparison the smallest falcon in North America is the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) which is 20-28cm (8-11 in) in length and weighs over three times as much as of most of these small falconets.

The adult Pied Falconets feed mostly on insects, but also on small birds up to x3 larger than themselves e.g. thrushes, and also small ground mammals and reptiles. Insects and birds are taken in flight.

Adult Pied Falconets (aka Pied Pygmy Falcon, White-legged Falconet) are variously given from different internet sources as averaging 16-18cms (6 -7 ins).
_______________

From watching these birds for about 10 hours over 4 days (not one shot until after 7.5 hours) I can say their hunting success rate is around 90% ! Their prey rarely escapes capture. Which during these 4 days comprised of dragonflies, butterflies and another couple saw them also take a small bird.

Seen in some of these shots are a parent and fledgling and the parent twice called the fledgling in to share the prey (a dragonfly and a butterfly).

Hope you enjoy these ! All taken with a Pentax K5, DA*300 and AFA x1.7 TC.

Fledgling


Into Action !


Gargoyle


Bigger than a dragonfly - just


Going Home


What Did You Say ?


Sleep Guru


No, Not Even A Wing !


Fast Landing


Fantail


You'll Eat Your Dragonfly and Like It !


Angel of Mercy


One Handed


That's My Girl !


Pied Falconet (Microhierax melanoleucus).Pied Falconet (Microhierax melanoleucus).Pied Falconet (Microhierax melanoleucus).

Edited on Jul 09, 2012 at 01:23 PM · View previous versions



Jul 09, 2012 at 12:52 PM
jamach
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


beautiful pics Frog, no favorites for me but is prompted 1,4,5. Interesting how they knew where you were and yet did not fly away.

Joe



Jul 09, 2012 at 01:01 PM
jfwoodman
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Very interesting series on a species I knew little about. Thanks for sharing!

jim



Jul 09, 2012 at 01:20 PM
eyelaser
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


What a wonderful series to share...thanks so much...nothing better than to get educated along with being treated to some fine images.
Eric



Jul 09, 2012 at 02:03 PM
Oosty
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Really fantastic images - I've seen (African) Pygmy Falcon on several occasions and they're pretty small so these must be really hard to photograph. Well done.

Peter



Jul 09, 2012 at 02:08 PM
tfoltz
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Thanks for Sharing the Information and the pictures, I had no Idea about these raptors

-Tim



Jul 09, 2012 at 02:53 PM
Herb Houghton
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Thanks for the info and sharing these fine behavior shots. I never heard of these guys, and I really love falcons.


Jul 09, 2012 at 04:34 PM
kmunroe
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


interesting images.. very nice


Jul 09, 2012 at 06:33 PM
birdied
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Very nice images and information !!

Birdie



Jul 09, 2012 at 06:39 PM
morris
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


You have done a great job Kevin

Morris



Jul 09, 2012 at 06:44 PM
Thomas Sanders
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1



Wow!!!!!


Tom



Jul 09, 2012 at 07:11 PM
Tim Kuhn
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


As far as I know these are a first on this forum in at least 5 years!! Thanks so much for the info and the excellent documentation. This is a rare post indeed!

Tim



Jul 09, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Conrad Tan
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Yet another bird to add to my bucket list. Amazing work!!!


Jul 09, 2012 at 08:13 PM
hnilsson
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Well, I learned something new from you - thanks for that!! Super images too!

Henrik



Jul 10, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Sirfishalot
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Fabulous work and a very intriguing bird I never knew existed.
Thanks for sharing them with us.

JayT



Jul 10, 2012 at 12:40 AM
Shasoc
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Nice captures! A very interesting set of images of a bird I see for the first time
Thanks for sharing these>
Socrate



Jul 10, 2012 at 08:44 AM
Lars Johnsson
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Great work Frogfish, love it


Jul 10, 2012 at 09:09 AM
canadajim
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Amazing shots! I really like the shots with the two together.

Jim



Jul 10, 2012 at 12:04 PM
genefixer
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Wonderful set!


Jul 10, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Frogfish
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · World's Smallest Raptor - Pied Falconets Part 1


Thank you so much for all your comments, they are very much appreciated and I am so pleased you enjoyed Part 1; Joe, Jim, Eric, Peter, Tim, Herb, KM, Birdie, Morris, Tom, Tim K, Conrad, Henrik, JayT, Socrate, Lars, C Jim & Gene.


Jul 10, 2012 at 01:53 PM
1
       2       end




FM Forums | Nature & Wildlife | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.