Small short tailed, black and rufous falcon, solid rufous underparts separate from other hobbies. Juvenile similar, but heavily streaked on rufous underparts. Clinical variation in plumage tone, from paler birds in W to darker ones in E.
Not Threatened.
Small short tailed, black and rufous falcon, solid rufous underparts separate from other hobbies. Juvenile similar, but heavily streaked on rufous underparts. Clinical variation in plumage tone, from paler birds in W to darker ones in E.
24-30 cm, 168-249 g, wingspan 66 cm
Taxonomy:
- Falco severus Horsfield, 1821, Java. Forms superspecies with F. longipennis, and perhaps also with F. subbuteo and F. cuvierii. Variation of present species in size and plumage slight and clinal; insufficient for racial differentiation. Monotypic. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Distribution:
- NW India and Nepal E to Yunnan, Guangdong and Hainan (S China), and S through Burma, Thailand and Indochina to Philippines, Java and Sulawesi, whence E through New Guinea to Solomon Is. Himalayan birds winter S to S India and Sri Lanka.
Forest with clearings, from mangroves at sea-level to deciduous and evergreen forest in foothills and mountains up to 2500 m, also seen hunting over scrub.
Insect small birds and bats. Hunts from exposed perch on tall tree, when sights prey, launches direct, rapid. Captured prey taken back on perch. Joins flocks of wood-swallow hawking insect.
Season varies regionally: Apr-Jul in India and Barna, Mar in Filipines. CITES II. Generally rare and local.