- Where to see one
- 5 U.S. zoos in our directory hold pygmy falcon, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the pygmy falcon
The African pygmy falcon is a tiny raptor of dry bush in eastern and southern Africa, and the smallest bird of prey on the continent. Adults measure about 20 cm and weigh 54 to 76 g; males have a grey back while females are chestnut. It hunts from a high perch, pouncing on reptiles and insects and occasionally small birds or rodents. Pygmy falcons nest in the vacant chambers of sociable weaver colonies and buffalo weaver nests, avoiding the work of building their own and gaining thermal buffering from the colony. Despite being bird-eaters, they largely leave their weaver hosts alone.
Pygmy Falcon facts
- Only the Asian falconets are smaller among the world's raptors.
- Pygmy falcons mark their nest entrances with a faecal mat, white when fresh and pinkish with age.
- Kalahari tree skinks have been observed eavesdropping on weaver alarm calls to escape the falcons.
- Males have a grey back, while females have a chestnut back.
Where to see pygmy falcon in the U.S.
5 zoos across 5 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 5 zoos holding pygmy falcon by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
California· 1
Ohio· 1
Oklahoma· 1
Tennessee· 1
Texas· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
