Falconets

(Microhierax), a genus of birds of the familyFalconidae. The body is 18– cm long. The beak is strong andhas two teeth on the culmen. The wings are relatively long butblunted, and the claws are disproportionately large. There arefive species. Falconets are found in an area stretching fromnorthern India and southeastern China to the Philippines. Theylive on the edge of forests or in cut areas. The prey of the falconetincludes large beetles, butterflies, dragonflies, and small birds, which it spots while sitting on isolated dead trees. They swallowsmall prey on the wing. The falconet nests in hollows and layswhite eggs.