![]() ![]() The female will squat down and raise her tail feathers to indicate that she is prepared to mate. More is known of Polihierax semitorquatus breeding habits in the southern portion of their range, but birds in both areas engage in a relatively quiet display that includes bobbing of the head, wagging of the tail, and calling. Thus, this falcon is one of a few species of birds that are "obligate nest pirates" (also see South American troupials, Icterus icterus). Approximately one-quarter of all weaver nests in these areas are occupied by African pygmy falcons. Occasionally northeastern birds will occupy the nests of white-browed sparrow weavers ( Plocepasser mahali) and glossy starlings ( Lamprotornis nitens). ( Berger, 1956 Brown, et al., 1982)Īfrican pygmy falcons rely on the social weavers ( Philetairus socius) in the northeast part of their range and white-headed buffalo weavers ( Dinemellia dinemelli) in the southwestern part of their range for nesting. Members of the species will mature in approximately one year. The breast, face, and abdomen of juveniles is white. Young have paler feet than their adult counterparts, with a reddish-brown back and neck. The eyes will normally open in two or three days. When hatched, African pygmy falcons are white in color and their eyes are shut. The base of the beak is an orange color, and the beak itself is grey. ![]() Polihierax semitorquatas has brown eyes and light orange legs. White spots decorate the back of the neck and the tail feathers. Female members have darker, chestnut colored backs, where males have grey backs. ( Brown, et al., 1982 del Hoyo, et al., 1994)Īfrican pygmy falcons have a white face, breast, and abdomen. With the exception of a few non-breeding members, African pygmy falcons almost exclusively inhabit areas where social weavers ( Philetairus socius, in the SW portion of its range) or white-headed buffalo weavers ( Dinemellia dinemelli, in the NE portion of its range) reside. These areas may receive as little as 100 mm/year of precipitation, or up to 600 mm/year (Brown, et. ( Sibley and Monroe Jr., 1990 Brown, et al., 1982 del Hoyo, et al., 1994 Sibley and Monroe Jr., 1990)Īfrican pygmy falcons inhabit dry, arid climates with sparse vegetation. Polihierax semitorquatas shares its geographic range with the range of social weavers, Philetairus socius, in southern Africa, and white-headed buffalo weavers, Dinemellia dinemelli, in northern Africa. Polihierax semitorquatus, the African pygmy falcon, is native to two separate regions of Africa: northeastern Africa including Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania and southwestern Africa including Namibia, Botswana, Angola, and Cape Province.
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