Falco longipennis
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.
Length
30cm to 35cm
Wingspan
70cm to 84cm
Weight
190g to 350g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Grey Black
Leg Colour
Yellow
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 2,000 meters
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
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:
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