Eurasian Hobby
Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteo
At a Glance
A compact, fast-flying falcon, widespread in the Old World, the Eurasian Hobby has appeared in North America several times as a rare stray. Most records have been in Alaska, on the Aleutians and other islands and once on the mainland; it has also wandered to other parts of the continent, including the northwest (south to Washington) and the northeast (south to Massachusetts). Some of the Alaskan records have involved birds coming on board ships far out at sea. The Eurasian Hobby is similar in behavior to the Merlin, often catching dragonflies or small birds in flight.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Falcons, Hawk-like Birds
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands
Behavior
Direct Flight, Flap/Glide, Soaring
Range & Identification
Description
Sexes similar; female slightly larger — Length: 11-14 in (29-36 cm); wingspan: 2 ft 2 in-2 ft 8 in (66-81 cm); weight: 5.3-11.6 oz (150-330 g). The Eurasian Hobby is a compact falcon with relatively short tail. Adult gray above, heavily streaked below, with rufous on thighs and undertail coverts. Juvenile has similar pattern but is browner, and lacks rufous at first.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, Brown, Orange, White
Wing Shape
Pointed, Swept, Tapered
Tail Shape
Rounded, Square-tipped
Songs and Calls
Shrill scream keer-keer-keer
Call Pattern
Falling, Flat
Call Type
Chatter, Chirp/Chip, Scream
Habitat
In its native habitat, open wooded areas, woodland edges and fields. The Eurasian Hobby prefers semi-open areas with sufficient trees or shrubs for perching. In North America, most often seen near coasts in summer.
Sign up for ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡'s newsletter to learn more about birds like the Eurasian Hobby
