Smaller than F.peregrinus , slightly build, longer and narrower wings and tail. Juvenile has UpPtinged brown, richer rufous underparts. Regional variation in colour within Australia.
Not Threatened.
Smaller than F.peregrinus , slightly build, longer and narrower wings and tail. Juvenile has UpPtinged brown, richer rufous underparts. Regional variation in colour within Australia.
30_35 cm, male 132-280 cm, larger female 190-365 g, wingspan 66-87 cm
Taxonomy:
- Falco longipennis Swainson, 1837, Tasmania. Forms superspecies with F. severus, and perhaps also with F. subbuteo and F. cuvierii. Pale race murchisonianus of inland and N Australia commonly recognized, but probably invalid because intergradation occurs with dark birds of S humid areas. Population on Lesser Sunda Is apparently a distinct race, although very limited information available. Two subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * hanieli Hellmayr, 1914 - Lesser Sundas, from Lombok to Timor. * longipennis Swainson, 1837 - Australia and Tasmania; outside breeding season occurs N to New Guinea, New Britain and Moluccas.
Open forest, woodland, savana and adjacent treeless habitats. Wooded farmlands and urban areas. Sea level to 2000m. Nests in tree.
Small birds, small insectivorous bats and flying insect. Mostly terrestrial flocking birds, such as larks, pipits and greenfinches. Diurnal, crepuscular and sometimes nocturnal.
Aug-Jan. Solitary. Uses old or usurped large stick nest of other species, typically corvus, high above ground. Usually 2-3 eggs, incubatation 28-35 days. Chicks have cream coloured down. Resident and partly migratory populations. Birds breeding in high altitude and latitudes winter in coastal areas. Not globally threatened. CITES II. Fairly common