They might seem cute and innocent, but these birds caught on camera by the CGTN Nature film crew are in fact birds of prey.

The pied falconet, together with its cousin, the collared falconet, are usually considered the smallest birds of prey in the world. The "mini" bird is only about the size of a sparrow, but as all birds of prey, it is a skilled hunter. 

For the full story of pied falconets, and other bird species living in beautiful Wuyi Mountains in eastern China, click the following link to watch CGTN Nature: Wuyi Mountains Series | Episode 7: Paradise of Birds

In China, all species in the family of Falconidae, including 60 species, are under second-class national protection. According to the CBR Checklist of Birds of China (2013), 13 of them are distributed in China, most of which are categorized as not threatened by IUCN Red List, with one exception: the saker falcon. It is estimated that the saker falcon's population is under 30,000 and still decreasing. 

The lesser kestrel is evaluated as "vulnerable" by China Species Red List. It is the only species of Falconidae included in the Chinese-version Red List. Researchers warn that the lesser kestrel's population is significantly declining globally, and the total population will decline by 20 percent over the next decade. 

What have put these agile raptors in danger? Habitat loss, pesticides, and rodenticides. They may be poisoned by their meals, which are rodents killed by poisons. In China, some types of pesticides are banned for the protection of birds and other wildlife. 

Rare animals in China

How many rare animals in China can you list? The giant panda, the red panda, the snub-nosed monkey, the snow leopard?  We want to make sure you can name 100 or more.

China is home to rich biodiversity. This series will focus on the rare animals that inhabit China. Under national protection, they need us, and the first step of protection is to know who they are.

(Video clip credits to CGTN Nature film crew. Cover design by CGTN's Chen Yuyang)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)