looking at the morphological difference in Philippine falconet surprisingly found that those distinct differences in tail, bill, and wing also exist within subspecies. Coupled with genetic analysis, scientists still failed to explain this stepped cline in the morphology of the Philippine falconet. More studies are encouraged to look for similar trends in other Philippine birds. Habitat and Distribution The Philippine falconet is endemic to the Philippine archipelago. It is distributed across several Philippine islands (Luzon, Mindoro, Negros, Catanduanes, Bohol, Calicoan, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Mindanao and Panay) and can be found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Philippine falconet usually occurs in pairs, or in family groups, and is usually singing. When foraging, this specie perches on prominent branches or canopy of old dead trees where it hawks for preys. Behaviors Vocalization The Philippine falconet gives a rapid, high-pitched “kek-kek-kek-kek” and a continuous, squeaky “pew-pew-pew-pew” with about two notes per second. Diet Like other falconets, Philippine falconets do not hover or soar. They hunt aerial prey from exposed tree perches and chase them down with fast and powerful flights. Once the prey is snatched in the bird's bill, it is carried back to the same perch where it gets eaten. The species feeds mainly on insects and smaller birds. The proportions of insects and birds in the diet may vary according to availability. One study suggests that dragonfly makes up nearly 70% of their diet, alongside other insects such as bees, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles. Juvenile Philippine falconets learn how to hunt by watching and participating in communal hunting with experienced adults. It is often seen up to six adult and juvenile Philippine falconets feeding on a single prey item that was caught previously. Reproduction Breeding takes place in March and April. However, sometimes nests can be found as early as November. It is still unclear when precisely breeding takes place, but scientists generally believe that it differs in different island environments. Philippine falconets are cavity nesters. They prefer old woodpecker or barbet holes at 6 to 10 meters above the ground in dead trees at the edge of forests. The clutch size is typically 3 – 4 eggs. The nest is strongly defended by both adults. The family usually stays together until the next breeding season. External links ebird Birds of the World Global Raptors AviBase References Philippine falconet Endemic birds of the Philippines Philippine falconet Taxonomy articles created