Family Falcons, Caracaras (Falconidae)

Least Concern

Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae)

figure, drawing, illustration of 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

Recommended citation

Orta, J., Kirwan, G.M., Garcia, E.F.J. & Marks, J.S. (2019). Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/53228 on 10 December 2019).