Species Profile

Eleonora's Falcon

Falco eleonorae

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

16–20 years

Length

36–42 cm

Weight

350–450 g

Wingspan

87–104 cm

Migration

Long-distance Migrant

Soaring across Mediterranean skies, this swift hunter embarks on one of the longest migrations among European raptors.

Also known as: Eleonora's Hawk

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Gallery

Appearance

Eleonora's Falcon is a sleek, medium-sized raptor with long, pointed wings and a long tail. Its plumage varies, with two colour morphs: dark and light.

The dark morph is uniformly dark brown, while the light morph has a grey-brown back and white underparts with dark barring.

Both morphs have a dark 'moustache' stripe and yellow eye-ring. Juveniles resemble light morphs but have buff-tinged underparts and a blue-grey cere.

Identification & Characteristics

Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: White
Beak: Black
Legs: Yellow

Attributes

Agility95/100

Strength70/100

Adaptability90/100

Aggression75/100

Endurance85/100

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

Eleonora's Falcon breeds on small islands and coastal cliffs in the Mediterranean Sea, from Spain and Morocco to Greece and Cyprus. It also nests on islands off the northwest coast of Africa, including the Canary Islands.

During non-breeding seasons, these falcons migrate to Madagascar and nearby islands in the Indian Ocean, where they spend the winter months in coastal and inland habitats.

Distribution

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Diet

Eleonora's Falcon has a highly specialised diet during the breeding season, primarily catching small migratory birds in mid-air.

Outside the breeding season, it feeds on large insects such as dragonflies and beetles. Its ability to switch between bird and insect prey allows it to adapt to seasonal food availability.

Behaviour

Eleonora's Falcon is known for its unique breeding strategy, which is timing reproduction to coincide with autumn bird migrations. It is highly aerial, spending much of its time soaring and hunting in flight. These falcons are social, often nesting in colonies and engaging in cooperative hunting behaviours.

Calls & Sounds

Eleonora's Falcon has a range of vocalisations primarily used during the breeding season. Its most common call is a sharp, high-pitched 'kee-kee-kee' or 'ki-ki-ki', often given in flight or when alarmed. During courtship, pairs may engage in duet calling with rapid, excited exchanges.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs from July to October, coinciding with autumn bird migrations. Eleonora's Falcons form monogamous pairs and often nest in colonies on rocky cliffs or slopes.

Nests are simple scrapes on ledges or in small caves, sometimes lined with vegetation. Females typically lay 2-3 eggs, which are reddish-brown with darker spots.

Incubation lasts about 28-30 days, shared by both parents. Chicks fledge after 35-40 days but remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.

Conservation

While currently listed as Least Concern, Eleonora's Falcon faces threats from habitat loss and degradation on its breeding islands. Climate change may affect its prey availability and breeding success. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and monitoring population trends.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 32,400 - 33,300 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Increasing^[2]

Elevation

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Adult Eleonora's Falcons have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks may be vulnerable to gulls, ravens, and introduced mammals on breeding islands.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Eleonora's Falcons near coastal cliffs and small islands in the Mediterranean and off the northwest African coast.
Observe their distinctive flight pattern: swift, rapid wing beats interspersed with glides.
Visit breeding sites in late summer to early autumn to see their spectacular aerial hunting displays.
Listen for their sharp, high-pitched calls during breeding season.

Did You Know?

The Eleonora’s falcon was named after Eleonora of Arborea (1347 – 1404), who in 1383 became the principal judge of one of four independent judicial regions of Sardinia, following in the footsteps of her late father and brother. A keen falconer, in 1392, she passed a law protecting birds’ nests against illegal hunters. This legislation is believed to have been the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
These falcons can catch prey in complete darkness, relying on the moon's and stars' light.
Some individuals can live up to 16 years in the wild, an impressive lifespan for a medium-sized raptor.
For some time, it has been known that adult birds often store dead prey in ‘larders’, but following a study at a breeding site on an island off the coast of Morocco in 2014, scientists discovered that Eleonora’s falcons were catching small birds and keeping them alive to ensure a supply of fresh food. The unfortunate prey were plucked of their wing and tail feathers to prevent escape and kept in small cracks and holes in the rocks at nesting sites. This is the only bird currently known to carry out this practice.