Move over. African pygmy falcons rely on weaver bird nests for their roosting and nest sites, especially sociable weavers in South Africa and white-headed buffalo weavers in northeast Africa. They also hole up in the nests of sparrow-weavers and glossy starlings. Pairs and their chicks roost together in the same weaver nest chamber until the young move on. The African pygmy falcon prefers larger weaver nest masses, occupying 12 to 25 percent of nest masses available. It uses up to six chambers for its nests.



The falcons are not just moochers, though. In the southwest portion of their range, the pygmy falcons fearlessly protect the homestead from snakes and rodents (and score a meal), so it’s a symbiotic arrangement. But in the northeastern part of their range, where they utilize white-headed buffalo weaver nests, those “host” birds can ward off predators, so they gain little from the interlopers. This living arrangement makes the African pygmy falcon a “nest pirate.”



Hanging out. This little falcon is mostly a resident where found, but there is some local movement in drier parts of its range—they head to moister habitats when needed. It is confined to its nest chamber for up to 15 hours a day during the chill of winter, “with moderate hypothermia” as the Handbook of the Birds of the World points out.



Nothing to see here. Though small, these falcons will bravely chase off predators larger than themselves, especially if they are protecting eggs or chicks in the nest.



Hear me, see me. Songs sung during breeding time attract potential mates. Bodily communication like head bobbing and tail feather raising also convey important information. Occasionally males are heard to make a “thin, squeaky” call to a female; youngsters make a sharp ringing sound when threatened.



It’s a family affair. According to some scientists, females occasionally breed with multiple males (polyandrous) and it is not uncommon for two or more males to attend the same nest. This behavior may reflect a shortage of suitable nesting sites.



The female lays her eggs between June and December in northeast Africa, and August through March in South Africa. Double clutching is not uncommon in favorable years. Calling, head-bobbing, and bowing displays, with tail-pumping for good measure, increase prior to nesting. The female will squat down and raise her tail feathers to her chosen one(s); eggs are laid a short time later.



The pair occupies a weaver nest chamber, with the lip of the entrance becoming coated in white droppings that turn pink over time. The falcon’s eggs hatch after about a monthlong incubation period. Hatching is asynchronous, so youngsters may be different sizes. Chicks have fluffy white down feathers and fledge at 27 to 40 days. Youngsters stick around the parental nest about two months after fledging.