HOBBY
(falco subbuteo)
The Hobby Falcon is Britain's only long distance migratory
falcon. It is often mistaken for a large swift in flight
because of its speed and gracefulness. The Hobby is easily
distinguished from the Merlin and Kestrel by its long
wings, rust-red thighs and bold moustachial stripe.
The Hobby is a highly skilled hunter that is mainly active
at dusk when insects swarm and small birds go to roost. It
swoops upwards to confuse its prey, it makes a mad dash
from cover to surprise rodents and ground birds, and it
attacks whole colonies of martins and other small birds.
FACT
FILE:
WEIGHT:
4 oz - 12 ozWINGSPAN:
2.5 ft - 3 ftDISTRIBUTION:
Found in temperate and boreal zones of Europe. Winters in
Africa, India and south east Asia.HABITAT:
Dry heath, downlands, open country with small woods and
tall hedgerows.HUNTING
TECHNIQUE:
Extremely fast and powerful falcon. Specialises in taking
aerial prey through stoops, chases, surprise attacks,
snatching from a perch and hovering like a
kestrel.PREY:
Insects, bats, small birds, mammals and even escaped
budgerigars.CONSERVATION
STATUS:
Extensively shot in recent decades while migrating south.
Numbers are increasing in the UK and are estimated at 500 -
1,000 pairs.