Microhierax
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| M. erythrogenys | |
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Microhierax
Sharpe, 1874
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The typical falconets, Microhierax, are a genus of bird of prey in the Falconidae family. They are found in southeast Asia and the smallest members of Falconiformes, averaging about 15 cm (5.9 in) in length and 35 g (1.2 oz) in weight. The smallest members of the genus are the relatively widespread black-thighed falconet, and the white-fronted falconet on the island of Borneo.
Species:
- Collared falconet, Microhierax caerulescens
- Black-thighed falconet, Microhierax fringillarius
- White-fronted falconet, Microhierax latifrons
- Philippine falconet, Microhierax erythrogenys
- Pied falconet, Microhierax melanoleucus
Taxonomy and systematics
The first description by a European ornithologist of a falconet from this group was published by George Edwards in 1750, as "the little black and orange colour'd Indian hawk". It was from a specimen that had been collected in Bengal and sent to the King's physician, Dr Mead.[1] Although the white collar is not described, Sharpe was convinced that this is the same bird that we now call the collared falconet. Brisson later (1760) described the species under the name le Faucon de Bengale, and Linnaeus (1766) as Falco cærulescens.[2]
In 1824, Vigors proposed a new genus Ierax, writing "whoever has seen that beautiful species, the smallest of its race, F. cærulescens, Linn., now rendered familiar to us by the accurate and splendid illustrations of Dr. Horsfield, will at once acknowledge its separation from every other established genus of its family."[3](p328) Later authors rendered the name Hierax.
Sharpe coined the name Microhierax in 1874, from the Greek μικρόσ ἱεραξ meaning "tiny hawk".[2] By this time, four species were known: M. cærulescens, M. fringillarius, M. melanoleucus, and M. erythrogenys. He lists Horsfield's specimen "Falco cærulescens" as being actually M. fringillarius, making the latter the type of the genus.
A fifth species, the white-fronted falconet M. latifrons, was described by Sharpe in 1879.[4][5]
References
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- ↑ Page 237 and plate 7 in Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- A. Pelletier (illustrator), C. [Charles Joseph] Hullmandel (lithographer) 1822. Illustration of Falco cærulescens from Java [later Microhierax fringillarius] BHL (Smithsonian) BHL(Singapore). Plate 35 in Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Section Falco cærulescens, page 135 IA BHL in Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. "The drawing of Edwards was made from a bird sent from Bengal. The Javan specimens are somewhat smaller, and differently marked. They appear to form a distinct variety..."
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