Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Pygmy Falcon
Polihierax semitorquatus
Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) is a member of the Falconidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 61.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Falconiformes
- Family Falconidae Caracaras, Falcons
- Genus Polihierax
- Species semitorquatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 61.5 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Falconidae
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Pygmy Falcon preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Pygmy Falcon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) belongs to the Falconidae family of the order Falconiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, s.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 61.5 g, with a wing length of about 11.6 cm and a tail of around 7.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Pygmy Falcon?
The Pygmy Falcon is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 61.5 g.
Where does the Pygmy Falcon live?
The Pygmy Falcon is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, s, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Pygmy Falcon belong to?
The Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) belongs to the Falconidae family, in the order Falconiformes.
What does the Pygmy Falcon eat?
The Pygmy Falcon preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Pygmy Falcon migrate?
The Pygmy Falcon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Pygmy Falcon endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Pygmy Falcon make?
1 real field recording of the Pygmy Falcon — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Pygmy Falcon's range?
The Pygmy Falcon has a mapped global range of about 3.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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