Oriental hobby
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Species:
F. severus
Binomial name
Falco severus
Horsfield, 1821

The Oriental hobby (Falco severus) is a species of falcon typically 27–30 cm long. It can be found in the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, across the eastern Himalayas and ranges southwards through Indochina to Australasia.[2] It has been recorded as a vagrant from Malaysia.

Diet and habitats

The Oriental hobby feeds mainly on insects and birds, and has in rare instances been observed as catching bats.[3] Its typical habitats are lowland forested areas and woodland. It nests in used nest of other birds either in trees, on building ledges or on cliffs. Its breeding season is from May to August.[4]

Identification

Adult is rich chestnut below, bluish-grey above with a black hood and pale throat. Juvenile has black streaks on its rufous chest and has a mottled back. They do not exhibit sexual dimorphism.[4]

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Falco severus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22696470A93565954. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22696470A93565954.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Birding-Aus Mailing List Archives
  3. ^ Mikula, P.; Morelli, F.; Lučan, R. K.; Jones, D. N.; Tryjanowski, P. (2016). "Bats as prey of diurnal birds: a global perspective". Mammal Review. 46 (3): 160–174. doi:10.1111/mam.12060.
  4. ^ a b Vrettos, Michelle; Reynolds, Chevonne; Amar, Arjun (June 2021). "Malar stripe size and prominence in peregrine falcons vary positively with solar radiation: support for the solar glare hypothesis". Biology Letters. 17 (6): 20210116. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2021.0116. ISSN 1744-957X. PMC 8169203.

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