- Polihierax semitorquatus
African Pygmy Falcon
Identification
At only 19-20 cm long this is a tiny raptor.
Distribution
Eastern and southern Africa: breeding in East Africa in northern and western Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, south-east Sudan and northern Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. In southern Africa occurs in south Angola, eastern Namibia, Botswana and north-central South Africa. Resident.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies are sometimes recognised: P. s. semitorquatus in southern Africa and P. s. castanotus in eastern Africa.
Habitat
Semi-desert, acacia savanna and open woodland.
Behaviour
Prey consists primarily of large insects and small reptiles.
