Family Falcons, Caracaras (Falconidae)
Least Concern
Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae)
Taxonomy
French: Faucon d’Éléonore German: Eleonorenfalke Spanish: Halcón de Eleonora
Taxonomy:
Falco Eleonorae
Gené
, 1839,Sardinia
.Sometimes considered to form a species-pair with F. concolor. Monotypic.
Distribution:
Islands and rocky coasts from Canary Is and NW Morocco E through Mediterranean to N Sporades, Lemnos, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete and Cyprus. Winters mainly in Madagascar; small numbers also in Mozambique and Mascarene Is.
Descriptive notes
36–42 cm; male 350–390 g, female 340–460 g; wingspan 84–105 cm. Polymorphic, with pale and dark morphs and also some intermediates; from below, dark... read more
Voice
Principal vocalization a nasal and somewhat grating “kyeh kyeh kyeh kyah”; also gives... read more
Habitat
Normally small islands and islets, typically uninhabited or very peaceful, on migratory routes of... read more
Food and feeding
Large flying insects and small birds; especially adapted to take advantage of autumn migrations. Insects taken mainly outside migration... read more
Breeding
Lays very late, mostly mid Jul–Aug, so that rearing of young coincides with autumn migration of small birds. Colonial, with up to 300... read more
Movements
Migratory. Leaves Mediterranean and Atlantic colonies from mid-Oct to early Nov, flying to main... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. No drastic changes noted in total population, apart from some natural fluctuations; local increases or declines dependent... read more
Citation
This citation could be added:
Berlie, L. & L. Vallotton (2016) : Le Faucon d’Eléonore Falco eleonorae, une nouvelle espèce pour la Suisse. Nos Oiseaux 63 : 208-213.