Bird · GBIF taxon 2481035
Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteoAlso known as Hobby, Northern Hobby
Eurasian hobbies are remarkably swift falcons, famed for catching large insects and agile birds mid-air with acrobatic maneuvers. They frequently hunt dragonflies on the wing, transferring prey to their talons to eat while still airborne. These migratory raptors do not build their own nests, instead taking over old stick nests built by crows and magpies high in tree canopies.
AgileMigratoryRaptor
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Dragonflies
- Barn Swallow
- Common Swift
Predators
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl
- Northern Goshawk
ThreatsPesticide use reducing insect prey, loss of nesting trees, and disturbance at nest sites
HabitatsOpen woodlands, farmland, heathland, wetlands, and forest edges
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyFalconidae
- SpeciesFalco subbuteo
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look near water: Scan wetlands and lake edges on warm summer afternoons when dragonflies are abundant.
- Watch the skies: Distinguish them from other small falcons by their distinctive scythe-like wings and rufous thighs.
- Keep your distance: Avoid approaching nest trees during summer, as breeding pairs are sensitive to disturbance.
Prey (c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Donald Davesne · cc-by
Close Relative Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Mykola Swarnyk / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Mourad Harzallah, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mourad Harzallah · cc-by
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