Falco eleonorae Géné, 1839

Taxonomy and Size

Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae Géné, 1839) is a bird of prey that measures 36–42 cm (14–17 in) in length, with a wingspan of 87–104 cm (34–41 in). Its body shape matches that of a large Eurasian hobby or a small, slender peregrine falcon, and it has long pointed wings, a long tail, and a slim build.

Color Morphs

This species has two distinct colour morphs. Adult dark morph individuals are entirely sooty brown, with black underwing coverts.

Light Morph Plumage

Light morph individuals are more similar to juvenile Eurasian hobbies, but have buff underparts, and show a contrast between black underwing coverts and the paler base of the flight feathers. Young Eleonora's falcons also resemble large juvenile hobbies, but their pale underparts contrast against darker wingtips and wing coverts.

Vocalization

The call of this species is the typical falcon 'kek-kek-kek'.

Mediterranean Breeding Range

This species breeds on islands in the Mediterranean, particularly off the coast of Greece, where two-thirds of the world's population breeds. It also breeds in Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Ibiza, and off the coasts of Spain, Italy, Croatia, Morocco, and Algeria.

Tilos Breeding Population

Tilos in the Dodecanese is a breeding area that hosts 10% of the world population of Eleonora's falcons. Research conducted by the Hellenic Ornithological Society and the European Union LIFE-Nature program of Tilos recorded 650 breeding pairs of this species on the island.

Vagrant Occurrence

The species is rare as a vagrant in areas north of its established range.

Non-breeding Range

It also lives along the coast of Madagascar and Mozambique.