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Pied Falconet

Microhierax melanoleucos

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1 August 2008

Full Species (monotypic); i.e. no subspecies/races
Microhierax melanoleucos; Blyth, 1843

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Kaziranga (Tea gardens in the central zone in the Karbi Hills), Assam, India, 9 January 2008

Was seen rapidly devouring the remains of a small bird/nestling, ludicrously raising its head now and then to scan the skies for that one important meal of a snatch not an imaginary intruder make. Now relaxing after almost cleaning its beak and preparing to fly off.

Historical
1268. Microhierax melanoleucus. The White-legged Falconet.
Ierax caerulescens, apud Blyth, J.A.S.B. xi, p. 789; nec Linn.
Ierax melanoleucos, Blyth, J.A.S.B. xii, p. 179*.
Hierax melanoleucus, Blyth, Cat. p. 17; id. Ibis, 1863, p. 10; 1866, p. 29; Horsf. & M. Cat. i, p. 16; Godw.-Aust. J.A.S.B. xxxix, pt. 2, p. 265; xlv, pt. 2, p. 66; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 6.
Microhierax melanoleucus, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. i, p. 368; Hume, S.F. ii, p. 525; v, p. 126; id. Cat. no. 20 bis; Hartert, J.f.O. 1889, p. 432.

This species is rather larger than the last, from which it differs in wanting the white nuchal collar and in being pure white beneath throughout; the white frontal band is very narrow or wanting, the supercilia are also narrower, and the black bands from the eye broader than in M. eutolmus. The white bars on the inner webs of the quills are also narrower.

Bill and feet black; iris brown (Hartert).
Length about 7.5; tail 3; wing 4.5; tarsus 1.1; bill from gape .55.

Distribution. Upper Assam, the Daphla and other hills to the northward, and the Naga hills to the southward. A specimen was obtained by Godwin-Austen from Lukhipur, Cachar, but none was seen by Hume in Manipur.

Blanford, W.T. 1895-98. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Birds.- Vol. III-IV.

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