falconet, Microheriax caerulescens Black-thighed falconet, Microhierax fringillarius White-fronted falconet, Microhiera latifrons Philippine falconet, Microhierax erythrogenys Habitat and Distribution The pied falconet ranges from north-eastern India to east China and south-east Asia. They are found in deciduous forest edges and clearings in wooded foothills. This species likes clearing such as old cultivation lands with banks and stream. They are usually perched on tree tops while occasionally flying off to catch prey. These are not migratory birds, they are a resident species, staying in the same area for most of the year. Behavior Vocalization This species produces a shrill, high pitched scream and chattering whistle. During the breeding season, the male will produce a rapid sequence of calls to the female as a courtship behavior before mating. The call starts as high-pitched and excited and then slows until the female decides to mate. Afterwards, the male will continue to call for a few more seconds. Diet Insects comprise most of the pied falconet's diet, but it also includes small mammals, reptiles and birds. A falconet catches its prey while flying over it and catching it mid-flight or by plucking it out of the foliage of the surrounding trees. Despite being small, pied falconets are quite fast and powerful, allowing them to catch prey as big as themselves or slightly larger. Reproduction The pied falconet's breeding season is from March until May. In the early breeding season, the males will initiate interest in mating to a female by presenting leaves to them. The male flies off and returns to a perched female and presents a leaf that he has gathered for the female. Later in the breeding season, usually before copulation, the males will bob up and down very frequently in front of the female while calling frantically. Copulation takes place after this behavior. These small raptors nest in old barbet or woodpecker holes and lay their eggs on a bed of leaves or grass. There have also been recordings of the nesting cavities being filled with insect remains instead of leaves. The females lay three to four eggs which are white in color. The pied falconet shares many similarities in courtship and mating behavior with the collared falconet (Microheriax caerulescens). The leaf presenting courtship behavior was first observed in the collared falconet. The collared falconet is also known to breed cooperatively. Cooperative breeding is another behavior that is also suspected for the