Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteo
Light woodland. Dark above; heavily streaked below with rufous thighs.
Falcons, Kestrels
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Uncommon summer visitor. A small falcon identified by heavily streaked body, and rufous thighs and undertail coverts. Recalls a large swift in flight with long pointed wings and darkly marked underparts (see underwings and cf. [Amur Falcon]). Occurs singly or in small flocks in light woodland and suburbia. Hunts mostly as dusk, flying rapidly and with much agility, sometimes gliding. Preys on swallows, bats and termites. 120-350 g.
Quick Facts
Size
30-35 cm - M
Names
A: Europese Boomvalk
Z: uklebosankonjane
Ss: Phakwe Ya Leboya
G: Baumfalke
Bird Family
Small raptors characterised by pointed wings and, usually, prominent ‘sideburns'. Females are larger than males. Falcons are aerial hunters, typically seizing smaller birds in a rapid dive from above. Characteristic calls are high-pitched ‘kek-kek-kek-kek' sounds, uttered when agitated. Kestrels are small falcons that eat insects caught in the air with their feet, or small mammals and reptiles caught on the ground. Their flight is more leisurely than that of true falcons.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs singly or in small 'flocks' in light woodland and suburbia.
