Medium sized Falco, long legs unique in genus. Extremely variale in colour, ranging from pale to dark. Juvenile brown with buff forehead, throat and vent. Regional variation in size and colour.
Not Threatened.
Medium sized Falco, long legs unique in genus. Extremely variale in colour, ranging from pale to dark. Juvenile brown with buff forehead, throat and vent. Regional variation in size and colour.
41-51 cm, male 316-590 g, large medium female 430-860 g, wingspan 89-109 cm
Taxonomy:
- Falco Berigora Vigors and Horsfield, 1827, New South Wales. Has been separated in genus Ieracidea or Hieracidea, but a typical Falco in most respects and closely related to F. novaeseelandiae. Up to seven races described, but much confusion owing to complexity of colour morphs, and recent studies suggest that most are invalid. Three subspecies now recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * novaeguineae (A. B. Meyer, 1894) - C & E New Guinea and coastal N Australia. * berigora Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 - E, C & N Australia and Tasmania. * occidentalis (Gould, 1844) - SW & CW Australia.
Open woodland, savana, grassland, farmalnd and desert. From sea-level to 2000 m in Australia. Rarely to 3000 m in NG. Nest in trees.
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods and carrions, rarely fish. Some seasonal variation in diet. Farages mostly by still-hunting from exposed perch, also by quertering and hovering.
Apr-Sept in N, Aug-Oct in S. Solitary. Uses old stick nest of other raptor or Corvus in tree, rarely on tree fern. Usually 2-3 eggs, incubation 31-36 days. Chicks have pale rufous firs down, grey second down. Adults generally sedentary ro with local movements. Not globally threatened. CITES II. Common and widespread.