White-fronted falconet

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White-fronted falconet

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Microhierax
Species:
M. latifrons
Binomial name
Microhierax latifrons
Sharpe, 1879

The white-fronted falconet (Microhierax latifrons), also called the Bornean falconet,

ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1879, it is endemic to Borneo, where it is found in Sarawak, Sabah, and extreme northeastern Kalimantan. An extremely small falcon, it is only 14–17 cm (5.5–6.7 in) long and weighs 35–65 g (1.2–2.3 oz), being the smallest species of falconet. It has glossy bluish-black upperparts, black flanks and outer thighs, and a black mask. The belly and vent are pale yellowish-brown, while the throat, cheeks, and breast are white. The species can be told apart from other falconets by the colour of its crown and forehead, which is white in males and reddish-brown in females. It has no subspecies
.

The species inhabits open forests,

cage-bird trade
.

Taxonomy and systematics

The white-fronted falconet was first

generic name Microhierax is from the Ancient Greek mikros, meaning small, and hierax, meaning hawk. The specific name latifrons is from the Latin latus, meaning wide or broad, and frons, meaning forehead.[5] White-fronted falconet is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union.[6]

The white-fronted falconet is one of five species in the falconet

Falco.[7] No subspecies of the white-fronted falconet are recognised.[6]

Description

photo of two small black and white falcons
Male white-fronted falconets

The white-fronted falconet is an extremely small shrike-like species of falcon, with a length of 14–17 cm (5.5–6.7 in), a mass of 35–65 g (1.2–2.3 oz), and a

cere and legs are dark grey to black. Juveniles are similar to females, but have tawny-buff forecrowns and cheeks, while young females may also show reddish-brown on the forecrown.[8][9]

The species may be confused with the black-thighed falconet, with which its range overlaps, but can be told apart from the latter and all other falconets by the colour of its forehead. The black-thighed falconet also has more intense reddish-brown on the belly and vent, along with white bars on the underside of the tail, which is pure black in the white-fronted falconet.[8][9]

The white-fronted falconet's vocalizations are not well-known, but are assumed to be similar to those of other falconets.[9] It makes a quavering kree-kree-kree.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The white-fronted falconet is

forest edges, clearings with dead trees, and cultivated regions with interspersed trees, and is thought to be especially common on mountainous slopes.[9] It is also infrequently found in mangrove forests.[11] The species is found at elevations of 0–1,200 m (0–3,937 ft).[9]

Behaviour and ecology

The white-fronted falconet is found alone or in groups of several individuals.[9] The generation length in the species is 3.2 years.[1]

The species mainly feeds on insects such as dragonflies, bees, and cicadas,[10] but has also been reported chasing birds. Hunting parties have been observed in November.[9] The species have been observed hunting from perches, making flights to catch flying insects and then eating the prey around two minutes after returning to the perch.[10] Other hunting behaviours are thought to be similar to those of other falconets, although there may be differences in the hunting techniques of the present species and the black-thighed falconet.[9]

The breeding season of the white-fronted falconet is thought to be either from March to June or from March to April,[8][9] although breeding has also been observed in November.[11] In Sabah, a male was seen feeding a fully-fledged chick in late July.[8] Nesting occurs in old barbet or woodpecker nest holes, with clutches comprising two eggs.[11] The incubation and fledging times are unknown.[9] Adult males have been observed preening each other, but it is not known if it breeds communally like the collared falconet.[8]

Status

The white-fronted falconet is classified as being

cage-bird trade may also pose a threat to the species.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22696330A177572288.en
    . Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  3. ^
    OCLC 944318084
    .
  4. ^ Sharpe, Rickard Bowdler (1879). "Contributions to the Ornithology of Borneo. Part IV. On the Birds of the Province of Lumbidan, North-western Borneo". Ibis. 4 (3). London: Academic Press: 237 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4
    .
  6. ^ a b c Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela (eds.). "Seriemas, falcons". IOC World Bird List. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  7. PMID 15186800
    .
  8. ^
    S2CID 241011146
    . Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  9. ^
    OCLC 701718538
    .
  10. ^ a b c Irham, Mohammad; Meijaard, Erik; vas Balen, Bas (2012). "New information on the distribution of White-fronted Microhierax latifrons and Black-thighed Falconets M. fringillarius in Kalimantan, Indonesia". Forktail. 28: 162–163.
  11. ^
    Ornis Mongolica
    . 1: 52–59.
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