Collared falconet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collared falconet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Microhierax
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| Species: |
caerulescens
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| Synonyms | |
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Falco caerulescens Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The collared falconet (Microhierax caerulescens) is a very small bird of prey. It belongs to the Falconidae family, which includes falcons and kestrels.
This little bird is found in parts of Asia, including the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. You can spot it in countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It usually lives in temperate forests, often near the edges of forests with broadleaf trees.
The collared falconet is about 18 cm (7 inches) long. It flies with quick wingbeats, followed by long, smooth glides. When it sits on a branch, it looks a bit like a shrike, which is another type of bird.
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What is a Collared Falconet?
The collared falconet is a very small falcon. It looks a bit like a shrike, with a black and white body. It has clear white stripes above its eyes and a white collar around its neck. Its beak is strong and has a special double-toothed shape.
This bird has short wings and a medium-length tail. Its legs are strong and partly feathered, and its feet are powerful. You can often see it perched clearly on top of a tree or bush, sometimes on a dead branch. It often bobs its head and slowly moves its tail up and down. Both male and female collared falconets look similar.
Where Do Collared Falconets Live?
Collared falconets live in mainland Southeast Asia. This includes the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India (like Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Bengal, and Assam). They are also found in Nepal and Bhutan.
Further south, they live in Burma (central and eastern parts), Thailand (northwest and west), Laos (central and south), Cambodia (especially the north), and Vietnam.
What is Their Home Like?
Collared falconets prefer open deciduous forests. They also live in clearings and at the edges of evergreen forests. Sometimes, they are found in old farm areas on hills that still have some trees. They often live near water.
These birds usually live at elevations between 200 and 800 meters (about 650 to 2,600 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, they can be found as high as 1,700 meters (about 5,600 feet).
How Was This Bird Named?
The collared falconet was first described by a European scientist named George Edwards in 1750. He called it "the little black and orange colour'd Indian hawk." This description came from a bird found in Bengal.
Later, in 1758, the famous Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus officially named the species Falco cærulescens. He used Edwards' description and drawing to do this.
In 1874, another scientist named Richard Bowdler Sharpe created a new group, or genus, for these tiny falcons. He called it Microhierax. This name comes from ancient Greek words: μικρόσ (mikros) means "tiny," and ἱεραξ (hierax) means "hawk." So, Microhierax means "tiny hawk," which is a perfect name for this small bird!
