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Australian Hobby

Falco longipennis

Least Concern
A swift and skilful hunter of the Australian skies, this compact falcon rockets through city parks and woodlands at high speed to catch birds mid-flight.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Australian Hobby is a sleek, medium-sized falcon with a streamlined body and pointed wings. Its upperparts are dark slate-grey to blackish-brown, contrasting with a pale, streaked underside. The distinctive black 'moustache' marks and reddish-brown thighs are key identifying features.

Females are slightly larger and darker than males. Juveniles have a browner plumage with buff edges to their feathers, giving them a scaly appearance. The cere and eye-ring are blue-grey in adults, turning yellow as the bird matures.

Size

Length

30cm to 35cm

Wingspan

70cm to 84cm

Weight

190g to 350g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Grey Black

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Australian Hobby can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Australian Hobby can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Australian Hobby can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Australian Hobby is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

The Australian Hobby is found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania, and parts of Indonesia and New Guinea. It inhabits a variety of environments, including open woodlands, forest edges, and, increasingly, urban areas and farmlands.

While some populations are sedentary, others undertake partial migrations, moving northward during the Australian winter. In urban settings, they are often spotted in parks, gardens, and around tall buildings that mimic their natural cliff-side habitats.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Australian Hobby. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
East Timor (Timor-Leste) Papua New Guinea
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Australia Indonesia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 92

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Exceptional agility demonstrated through high-speed aerial chases and the ability to catch prey mid-flight. Their streamlined body and pointed wings enable swift manoeuvring, with diving speeds reaching 100 km/h (62 mph). Particularly adept at twilight hunting of agile prey like bats and birds.

Strength 68

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Moderate strength for their size, capable of taking down prey up to medium-sized birds. Whilst not as powerful as larger falcons, they possess sufficient strength to carry and handle their prey effectively. Females, being slightly larger, demonstrate marginally greater strength.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Highly adaptable species thriving across diverse habitats from sea level to 2,000 metres, including urban environments. Successfully adapted to hunting introduced species and utilising man-made structures for nesting. Shows remarkable flexibility in hunting behaviour and habitat selection.

Aggressiveness 75

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Displays notable aggression during hunting and territorial defence, particularly in breeding season. Whilst not as aggressive as some larger raptors, they actively defend their territory with sharp vocalisations and will boldly pursue prey. Shows determined hunting behaviour at dawn and dusk.

Endurance 82

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Strong endurance evidenced by their ability to conduct extended hunting flights and aerial displays. Their partial migratory nature suggests good stamina, whilst their capacity for sustained pursuit of prey and regular twilight hunting activities demonstrates impressive stamina levels.

Diet

Australian Hobbies primarily feed on small to medium-sized birds, often targeting introduced species like House Sparrows and Starlings.

They also prey on large insects, particularly moths and beetles, which they may catch and eat on the wing. Bats are occasionally hunted during twilight hours.

Behaviour

Australian Hobbies are swift and agile flyers, often seen pursuing prey in high-speed aerial chases. They frequently hunt at dawn and dusk, taking advantage of low light conditions.

These falcons are generally solitary but may form loose pairs during the breeding season, engaging in spectacular aerial displays and vocalisations.

Vocalisation

The Australian Hobby has a distinctive, high-pitched call often described as a rapid 'kee-kee-kee' or 'kik-kik-kik'.

During the breeding season, pairs engage in noisy aerial displays, exchanging sharp, chattering calls. When alarmed or defending territory, they emit a loud, piercing 'kek-kek-kek'.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs from August to January in southern Australia and earlier in northern regions. Australian Hobbies form monogamous pairs and often reuse the same nesting site year after year.

They do not build their own nests but instead take over old nests of other birds, particularly those of crows or ravens. The female typically lays 2-4 eggs, which are pale buff in colour with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 35 days, primarily by the female, while the male provides food. Chicks fledge after 35-42 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

The Australian Hobby is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. While its population appears stable, the species faces threats from habitat loss due to urbanisation and agricultural intensification.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving woodland habitats and maintaining suitable nesting sites in urban areas.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Not quantified

Global Population Trend

[2]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Australian Hobbies perched on exposed branches or power lines
  • Observe their distinctive rapid wing beats and agile flight patterns
  • Listen for their sharp, chattering calls, especially during breeding season
  • Watch for their hunting behaviour near open areas at dawn and dusk

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Little Falcon

Family:

Falconidae

Average Lifespan

7 to 10 years

Max Lifespan

10.2 years [3]

Predators

Adult Australian Hobbies have few natural predators due to their agility and speed. However, eggs and nestlings may fall prey to larger birds of prey, snakes, and occasionally, cats in urban areas.

Did You Know?

  1. Australian Hobbies can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph) when diving for prey.
  2. They are one of the few diurnal birds known to regularly hunt bats.
  3. In urban areas, they often nest on man-made structures like tall buildings and communication towers.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Falco longipennis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22696473A93566304.

    View source
  2. 2

    report, 2001: Ferguson-Lees and Christie

  3. 3

    website: ABBBS - Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme

    View source

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