Species Profile
Australian Hobby
Falco longipennis
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Little Falcon
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Appearance
The Australian Hobby is a sleek, medium-sized falcon with a streamlined body and pointed wings. Its upperparts are dark slate-grey to blackish-brown, contrasting with a pale, streaked underside. The distinctive black 'moustache' marks and reddish-brown thighs are key identifying features.
Females are slightly larger and darker than males. Juveniles have a browner plumage with buff edges to their feathers, giving them a scaly appearance. The cere and eye-ring are blue-grey in adults, turning yellow as the bird matures.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Yellow
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
The Australian Hobby is found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania, and parts of Indonesia and New Guinea. It inhabits a variety of environments, including open woodlands, forest edges, and, increasingly, urban areas and farmlands.
While some populations are sedentary, others undertake partial migrations, moving northward during the Australian winter. In urban settings, they are often spotted in parks, gardens, and around tall buildings that mimic their natural cliff-side habitats.
Distribution
Diet
Australian Hobbies primarily feed on small to medium-sized birds, often targeting introduced species like House Sparrows and Starlings.
They also prey on large insects, particularly moths and beetles, which they may catch and eat on the wing. Bats are occasionally hunted during twilight hours.
Behaviour
Australian Hobbies are swift and agile flyers, often seen pursuing prey in high-speed aerial chases. They frequently hunt at dawn and dusk, taking advantage of low light conditions.
These falcons are generally solitary but may form loose pairs during the breeding season, engaging in spectacular aerial displays and vocalisations.
Calls & Sounds
The Australian Hobby has a distinctive, high-pitched call often described as a rapid 'kee-kee-kee' or 'kik-kik-kik'.
During the breeding season, pairs engage in noisy aerial displays, exchanging sharp, chattering calls. When alarmed or defending territory, they emit a loud, piercing 'kek-kek-kek'.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from August to January in southern Australia and earlier in northern regions. Australian Hobbies form monogamous pairs and often reuse the same nesting site year after year.
They do not build their own nests but instead take over old nests of other birds, particularly those of crows or ravens. The female typically lays 2-4 eggs, which are pale buff in colour with reddish-brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 35 days, primarily by the female, while the male provides food. Chicks fledge after 35-42 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks.
Conservation
The Australian Hobby is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. While its population appears stable, the species faces threats from habitat loss due to urbanisation and agricultural intensification.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving woodland habitats and maintaining suitable nesting sites in urban areas.
Elevation
Sea level to 2,000 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Adult Australian Hobbies have few natural predators due to their agility and speed. However, eggs and nestlings may fall prey to larger birds of prey, snakes, and occasionally, cats in urban areas.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Australian Hobbies perched on exposed branches or power lines
- Observe their distinctive rapid wing beats and agile flight patterns
- Listen for their sharp, chattering calls, especially during breeding season
- Watch for their hunting behaviour near open areas at dawn and dusk
Did You Know?
- Australian Hobbies can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph) when diving for prey.
- They are one of the few diurnal birds known to regularly hunt bats.
- In urban areas, they often nest on man-made structures like tall buildings and communication towers.
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