Bird · GBIF taxon 2481035
Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteoAlso known as Hobby, Northern Hobby, Eurasian Hobby-falcon
Eurasian hobbies are exceptionally agile, slender falcons renowned for their high-speed aerial pursuits of dragonflies and hirundines. They often hunt late into the evening, catching and consuming large insects mid-air with their talons. During the breeding season, they take over the abandoned stick nests of crows and other large birds in open woodland edges.
MigratoryAerial PredatorDiurnal
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Common Darter
- Barn Swallow
- Common Swift
Predators
- Northern Goshawk
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl
- Peregrine Falcon
ThreatsHabitat loss, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and illegal shooting along migration routes
HabitatsOpen woodlands, heathlands, agricultural edges, and wetlands
Life span10 to 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
- Capable of scratching or biting if handled; observe from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses sharp talons and a hooked beak capable of inflicting deep puncture wounds if cornered or handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for the slate-grey upperparts, heavily streaked underparts, and distinctive rusty-red thighs.
- What to do
- Never attempt to touch or rescue an injured bird without thick leather gloves and professional training.
Responsible observation
- Scan the skies: Look for their distinctive anchor-like silhouette over waterbodies on warm summer afternoons.
- Watch the swallows: Sudden panic among local swallows and martins often signals a hunting hobby nearby.
- Listen for calls: Listen for their thin, repetitive 'kew-kew-kew' alarm calls near woodland edges.
Co-occurring Falcon Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Prey Species Alexis Lours / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · cc-by
Larger Relative Mykola Swarnyk / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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