Eurasian Hobby

Falco subbuteo

Wingspan

75–85cm

Body length

30–35cm

Weight

130–230g

Profile

Life expectancy
Clutch size: 2–3 eggs
Global status
Activity
Migration

Identification

Long, narrow, sickle-shaped wings and a relatively short tail characterise this fast flier. Adults have rufous trousers, juveniles do not yet. The dark moustachial stripe contrasts with the pale cheek.

Colours

Plumage

Eyes

Legs & feet

Adult

Dark head, slate-grey upperparts and rufous feathering on the legs. Both sexes show this pattern; females are usually larger.

Behaviour

A pronounced long-distance migrant that spends the European winter in Africa. In Germany it usually only appears in late spring. Its agile flight allows rapid changes of direction when chasing flying prey.

Breeding & rearing

It takes over old crow or raptor nests and does not build its own. Nest sites are often in small woods, rows of trees or on pylons. The late breeding season matches the summer availability of flying prey.

Diet

Prey examples

Swallows

Dragonflies

The Eurasian Hobby catches small birds and large insects in flight. Swallows and dragonflies are especially typical; their share varies with place and season.

Hunting

Pursuit

With fast turns it pursues large insects and small birds over open areas. It seizes small prey with its talons and often brings it to its bill while still in flight.

Distribution

Range

Europe & Asia; winters in Africa and South Asia

Status in Germany

Breeding birdPassage migrant

Habitat

Open country with copses and forest edges, often near wetlands. Usually breeds in old crows' nests.

Open meadows, fields and varied hedgerow landscape — Meadows & fields

Old mixed broadleaf forest with clearings and forest edges — Forests