Bird · GBIF taxon 2481037
Eleonora's Falcon
Falco eleonoraeAlso known as Eleonora Falcon
Uniquely adapted among European raptors, Eleonora's falcons delay their breeding season until late summer to exploit the massive autumn migration of songbirds crossing the Mediterranean. Nesting colonially on rocky sea cliffs and offshore islets, these sleek hunters perform extraordinary aerial feats, often hunting in coordinated groups at high altitudes. They winter in Madagascar, undertaking a massive long-distance migration across the African continent after the breeding season concludes.
MigratingRaptorCoastal
1 / 7—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Songbirds
- Dragonflies
- Beetles
Predators
- Black rat
- Yellow-legged gull
- Eurasian eagle-owl
ThreatsCoastal development, climate change, colony disturbance, invasive nest predators
HabitatsCoastal cliffs, rocky islands, open marine areas, Mediterranean garrigue
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyFalconidae
- SpeciesFalco eleonorae
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.
- What to notice
- Recognized by long slender wings, long tail, dark trailing wing edges, and light or dark color morphs.
- Support conservation
- Avoid landing on offshore nesting islets between July and October; view colonies from boats or mainland cliffs.
Responsible observation
- Colony Observation: Use a spotting scope from mainland viewpoints to watch island nesting colonies without causing disturbance.
- Autumn Migration: Position along Mediterranean headlands in late August and September to see adults hunting migrating songbirds.
- Flight Identification: Look for exceptionally long, slender wings and a long tail relative to body size during aerial maneuvers.
Competitor 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
Close Relative (c) Ani Sarkisyan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ani Sarkisyan · cc-by
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