Eurasian Hobby

Falco subbuteo

The Eurasian Hobby is a species of Falcon that is small and slim, with long wings that resemble those of a Swift. They live in Europe, Asia, and Africa, inhabiting open country areas. They are also migratory, with populations moving to central Africa and southeast Asia during the winter months.

These birds are very fast, and use that speed and agility to hunt down their prey. They are one of the quickest birds on the planet, able to reach speeds up to 100mph! Eurasian Swifts usually eat flying insects, consuming them on the go, but they also eat birds and other small vertebrates.

The breeding season for these birds actually coincides with the peak season for their prey. Their chicks hatch  in late summer, which is the prime time for both dragonflies, and for fledgling birds that are still novices at flying. This gives the Hobby chicks more to eat!

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa, Europe, Asia
Size : Body Length up to 14in (36cm), Wingspan up to 33in (84cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Falconiformes
Family : Falconidae -- Genus : Falco -- Species : F. subbuteo

Image : Biopauker