African Pygmy Falcon
The African Pygmy-falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) is a falcon that lives in eastern and southern Africa, the smallest raptor of the continent. As a small falcon, only 19 to 20 cm long, it preys on insects, small reptiles and even small mammals.
Adult African Pygmy-falcons are white below and on the face, grey above, the female having a chestnut back. There are white “eye spots” on the nape. Juveniles have a brown back, duller than adult females, and a rufous wash on the breast. The flight feathers of the wings are spotted black and white (more black above, more white below); the tail is barred black and white.
The flight is low and undulating. In size, pattern, and the habit of perching upright on an exposed branch or treetop, this species resembles some shrikes.
The call is “a high-pitched kikiKIK, repeated” (Kenya) or “a ‘chip-chip’ and a ‘kik-kik-kik-kik’” (southern Africa).
The African Pygmy-falcon inhabits dry bush. The subspecies P. s. castanonotus occurs from Sudan to Somalia and south to Uganda and Tanzania; P. s. semitorquatus occurs from Angola to northern South Africa. This range is estimated to have an area of 2.7 million km2, and the total population is estimated to be between 100,000 and 1 million birds.
African Pygmy Falcon belongs to the following groups:
Birds and Creatures of Flight, Birds Of Prey (3 per day), EF Welcome Center, The Birds and Zoophoria (2 per day, approval required) Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
salsbells69
Beautiful image Lisa~! wonderful informative narrative. Well done.
courier
This is such a great photo, Lisa. Fantastic.
Eyeleen
Wonderful photo and such a cute, fluffy birdie!!
Bootiewootsy
Adorable fluffy bird… Wonderful capture.. I just love it.
Charles Dobbs ...
Perfect!
Kathryn J Miller
Again an amazing photo. What equipment are you using.
Lisa G. Putman replied
Kathryn, I use a Canon EOS 30D with a 70-200 L series at 2.8 with 2x extender, and of course a steady tripod for the two shots you commented on.
hardhhhat
Stunning shot – perfect!
Anne Smyth
very fine texture and nicely fluffed up -beautiful capture
RickF
Great capture!
witchy
wonderful!!
Pat Moore
Lisa this is a magnificent capture, beautiful!!
Glenda Remaklus
What a beautiful bird Lisa. Gorgeous!!
josiem
stunning capture!
such a cute little thing :)
Che01
Great shot! Love the composition
Sharon Perrett
Stunning image, wonderful detail and clarity, and soooo cute too :)
Deidre Cripwell
Beautiful – love the softness
Leanna Lomanski
An unusual-looking raptor (in my limited knowledge of birds).........I totally want to cuddle him! More fantastic work.
skyhorse
I wanna take it home & cuddle it
josiem
gorgeous!!!!! beautiful capture
StacyLee
Your images are incredible! God bless you!
Marvin Collins
Beautiful image, what a beautiful raptor!!
Nature's Realm
stunning shot! – Dennis
Anthony Comella
Terrific viewing – wonderful image!!!!!!!!
linda858100
lovely
lorilee
What a sweetheart!!!!!! A beautiful capture!!!!!
Waleska Luker
What a cutie!
Sharon Morris
Great capture Lisa.
Glenda Remaklus
A gorgeous capture of a beautiful bird! Great shot!
AngelaFoster
beautiful portrait, really cute baby bird
D R Moore
We Are Passionate About Birds Of Prey Group
KristineNora
so wow ,just brilliant .
RavenSoul
WONDERFUL!!!
Bonnie Blanton
What a beautiful bird and you have captured its beauty so well. Great work!
skyhorse
congrats on your feature – a superb capture of a really unusual raptor
Waleska Luker
Stunning, it fits perfectly in our First Things Group!
Scott d'Almeida
awesome,
FlowersEtc
LindaR
incredible capture ~ he is soooo cute!! xx
Joanne Bradley
Wonderful capture of this interesting little guy and great commentary!
Birgitta
Oh my goodness…this is so good!! (So clear too.)
Ya know, when I think about it, 100,000 to 1 million isn’t
very many of them. :-/
jesika
A superb shot. The University of RedBubble introduces us to so much we don’t know about…....
j
Bunny Clarke
Looks closely related to our Kestral Falcon here in North America. Gorgeous capture.
Susan Gary
beautiful feathers!
greenfrog153
Gorgeous shot Lisa.
Tamara Kenneally
Your work is simply stunning
Dyle Warren
What a fuzzy, cute bird…great shot!!
KatsEye
Awwwww…...what a cutie. Excellent capture.
Sally Green
this is just amazing!!! x
SusanAdey 4 days ago
simply stunning! Well done – straight to my faves