About the Pygmy Falcon
The African pygmy falcon —or simply pygmy falcon—is a diminutive raptor native to eastern and southern Africa. It is the sole species in its monotypic genus, Polihierax. The pygmy falcon is the smallest bird of prey on the African continent, and among the smallest raptors on earth; only the Asian falconets are smaller, weighing roughly 30-40 grams less and measuring about 5 cm shorter from head to tail.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falcons and Caracaras (Falconidae) |
| Species | Polihierax semitorquatus |
| Species Codes | pygfal1, APFA, AFPF, PYFA |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Pygmy Falcon belong to?
The Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) belongs to the Falcons and Caracaras family (Falconidae), in the order Falconiformes.
How can I identify the Pygmy Falcon?
The African pygmy falcon —or simply pygmy falcon—is a diminutive raptor native to eastern and southern Africa. It is the sole species in its monotypic genus, Polihierax. The pygmy falcon is the smallest bird of prey on the African continent, and among the smallest raptors on earth; only the Asian fa...
Where can I report a Pygmy Falcon sighting?
You can log sightings of Pygmy Falcon on eBird (ebird.org) using species code pygfal1, or on iNaturalist.
Related Species in Falcons and Caracaras 65 species
Quick Stats
Spotted a Pygmy Falcon?
Log your sighting on eBird or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier!