About the Black-thighed Falconet
The black-thighed falconet is one of the smallest birds of prey, typically measuring between 14–16 centimetres (5.5–6.3 in) long, with a 27–32 centimetres (11–13 in) wingspan, which is a size comparable to a typical sparrow. It is native to Brunei, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, and vagrant to Sri Lanka.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This is a minute, shrike-like falcon, with a squarish tail that is frequently spread. The adult male is glossy black above, with a white forehead streak that arcs around black cheeks. It has a white or rufous-washed throat, with a white breast shading into a rufous abdomen. Its thighs and flanks are black, as is its cere and legs. In flight the male has white wings underneath with black barring on the primaries and secondary flight feathers, and light streaking on the underwing coverts. There are three white bars underneath on the otherwise plain black tail.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in July · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Collared FalconetMicrohierax caerulescensThe collared falconet is a very small falcon, shrike-like in shape, mainly pied and having bold white supercilia and collar, with relatively heavy double-toothed bill.
Philippine FalconetMicrohierax erythrogenysThe Philippine falconet has a length of 15 – 18 cm, a wingspan of 32 – 37 cm, and a body mass of 37 – 52 g.
Pied FalconetMicrohierax melanoleucosThe pied falconet is a small black and white raptor, measuring between 7 and 7 ½ inches and weighing between 55 and 75 g.
Learn the Black-thighed Falconet for real
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