Spot-winged Falconet Spiziapteryx circumcincta Scientific name definitions
- LC Least Concern
- Names (25)
- Monotypic
Text last updated September 7, 2017
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Species names in all available languages
Language | Common name |
---|---|
Bulgarian | Петнистокрило соколче |
Catalan | falconet alatacat |
Czech | sokolík kropenatý |
Dutch | Witstuitvalk |
English | Spot-winged Falconet |
English (United States) | Spot-winged Falconet |
French | Fauconnet à ailes tachetées |
French (France) | Fauconnet à ailes tachetées |
German | Tropfenfalke |
Japanese | シラボシハヤブサ |
Norwegian | parakittfalk |
Polish | sokółeczka |
Portuguese (Brazil) | falcãozinho-cinza |
Portuguese (Portugal) | Falcãozinho-cinzento |
Russian | Американский соколок |
Serbian | Južnoamerički soko |
Slovak | belozor perličkavý |
Spanish | Halconcito Argentino |
Spanish (Argentina) | Halconcito Gris |
Spanish (Paraguay) | Halconcito gris |
Spanish (Spain) | Halconcito argentino |
Spanish (Uruguay) | Halconcito Gris |
Swedish | fläckvingad falk |
Turkish | Amerika Cüce Doğanı |
Ukrainian | Сокіл плямистокрилий |
Spiziapteryx circumcincta (Kaup, 1852)
Definitions
- SPIZIAPTERYX
- circumcincta / circumcinctus
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
Introduction
The Spot-winged Falconet is the only member of its genus and is endemic to the chaco savannas, woodland and scrub of Bolivia and central Argentina. It is a small raptor, about the same size as the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), but with a very different plumage. The falconet is grayish brown above and white below with dark streaking throughout, and a white rump,; its name comes from the white spots on the flight feathers and wing coverts. It feeds primarily on insects, especially flying ones such as dragonflies, damselflies and cicadas, but will also take lizards and small birds. The Spot-winged Falconet is occasionally tolerated at the communal nests of Monk Parakeets which it often uses for roosting. Indeed, the falconet has been observed roosting in active Monk Parakeets nests with the parakeets entering the chamber after the falconet and spending the night with them.
Field Identification
25–31 cm (1); 149–249 g (n = 22, sexes combined), means of 157·8 g and 188 g for four males and four females, respectively (2); wingspan 47–58 cm (2). Diminutive; stocky, with shortish wings but relatively long graduated tail (1). Flight appears whirring with much flapping, followed by short glides (1). Back, head and wings greyish-brown; pale streak above and behind eye, black ear-coverts and narrow black moustachial streak; shoulders spotted white, rump white; throat and lower belly white; breast, sides and upper belly greyish , narrowly streaked brown; central rectrices dark, rest of tail barred white, with white tip; conspicuous white spots on wing , white underwing-coverts. Iris pale yellow , cere and lores rich yellow (1), and feet and legs cream to yellow (1). Female similar to male but averages c. 8% larger (2). Unlike other falconids, no distinct immature plumage.
Systematics History
Subspecies
Distribution
E Bolivia (Santa Cruz) through Paraguay to N & C Argentina (S to E Río Negro) and W Uruguay (3).
Habitat
Mainly lowland savanna and semi-arid woodland with scrub; common characteristics of all habitats are scrub with scattered trees such as mesquite (Prosopis nigra) and some bare ground (1). Chaco in Bolivia; semi-open Chaco forest and monte desert in Argentina (1). Elevational range sea-level to c. 750 m, but probably mainly from 100–500 m (1).
Movement
Probably sedentary. Of 22 birds trapped in SC Argentina, three re-trapped within a year after ringing, all within 500 m of the original capture location (2). However, Paraguayan record might have involved a wandering individual (or genuine range extension) (1); species also has recently been recorded in Santa Cruz province, S Argentina, 1000 km S of known range (4).
Diet and Foraging
Feeds on insects (Orthoptera, cicadas, beetles and probably others), lizards, small mammals (e.g. cavies Microcavia) and birds, including Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) and Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) (5, 1, 2). Bird prey also includes adult and young Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus); present species roosts in communal nests of these parakeets in winter, and nests in them in summer; actually observed roosting in active Monk Parakeet nests, with parakeets entering chamber after the falconets, and spending the night with them. Little information on hunting techniques, but known to still-hunt from perch (1).
Sounds and Vocal Behavior
Gives series of nasal clucking notes that fall in pitch when disturbed at nest; also a loud, guttural "kronk, kronk, kronk..." (1).
Breeding
Very little information available. No aerial displays known (1). Laying in Nov–Dec in Argentina, although birds in breeding condition from there also taken in Jul, Aug and Oct (1); suspected to be double-brooded (1). Nest in woven, closed nests of other species, e.g. cachalotes (Furnariidae), probably Firewood-gatherer (Anumbius annumbi) (1) and sometimes active Monk Parakeet colonies; near Córdoba (NC Argentina), 15 out of 70 Monk Parakeet nests also had a nesting pair of falconets. For nesting, Monk Parakeet nest entrances are enlarged to 20 cm high × 30 cm wide, and nest chamber enlarged into roughly spherical cavity c. 30 cm wide, but no lining is added (1). Not known to use artificial nest boxes (6). Clutch size 2–4 eggs; fledging probably c. 33 days.
Conservation Status
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Status virtually unknown, although considered locally common in Córdoba, Argentina (1), and reasonably numerous at a locality in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (5); populations presumed to be stable in absence of evidence to the contrary. Preferred habitat is not among those most seriously devastated in the region. Single record from Paraguay.