Family

Accipitridae

Description

Plumage very variable but two features are constant: 1) double moustache-markenclosing paler cheek-patch, 2) buff to pale red-brown notching of flight and tail-feathers. Typical phases: brown above, whitish below with irregular brown to yellow-buff patches, brown trousers. Pale Phase: pale reddish brown above, whitish below with fine dark streaks, trousers pale or rusty. Cere, eyering and legs lead-grey, legs longish, rather slender.

Habits

Diurnal, Probably arid Australia's most common bird of prey, brown falcons are usually seen perched on low branches watching for prey. Loud cackling calls are often heard as the birds fly to evening roosts or when a breeding pair "show-off" in a display flight. Sedentary or nomadic.

Habitat

Grassland Forest Woodland Wetlands, Open and lightly timbered country; floodplains; escarpment.

Breeding

June to November, 2 to 4; buff, reddish-brown blotches. Breeds mainly in spring and summer taking about seven weeks to raise 3 or 5 independent young. Both sexes incubate and brood.

Parks

Kakadu National Park

Diet

Carnivore, feeds mainly on insects; reptiles; birds and mice.

Details

Common Name: Brown Falcon Scientific Name: Falco berigora
Sub Order: Unavailable Order: Falconiformes
Class: Aves Category: Native
Status: Least Concern Size: 405 - 510 mm, span up to 750 mm.

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