Buzz
The thigh-high eagle may not be bigger than a sparrow, but don't let this minuscule size deceive you.
The black-thighed falconet (Microhierax fringillarius) and the Bornean falconet (Microhierax latifrons) both share the title of the world's smallest predator bird. With a body length ranging from 14 to 16 cm, a wingspan from 27 to 32 cm, and weighing just a few grams, many might mistake the black-thighed falconet for not being the most efficient hunter. However, don't let the harmless appearance of this bird deceive you. The black-thighed falconet, resembling a long-tailed parrot, is one of the cutest-looking species, but when hunting, they truly become formidable natural assassins.
The black-thighed falconet primarily feeds on insects like moths, dragonflies, flying termites, and cicadas. Sometimes, they will even attack small birds, lizards, and occasionally mammals like small bats. They often hunt from vantage points, swooping out to catch some flying insects passing by.
Additionally, this species can also ambush prey camouflaged on the ground. These tiny bendable assassins have quite a unique social nature, far different from other predator birds. They often hunt in flocks with a relatively large number, sometimes up to 10 individuals.
Originating from Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, the black-thighed falconet is a highly adaptable species. They seem to withstand significant changes in their living environment.
There is no official data on population density or assessments of different populations, but the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists Microhierax fringillarious as a species of concern.
The black-thighed falconet surprises many by its ability to hunt with high speed and accuracy. Not only that, they also exhibit group hunting behavior, a rarity among birds of prey in general.
