From Opus

Alternative name: Little Falcon

Photo by Nora
Melton, Melbourne, Australia

Falco longipennis

[edit] Identification

One of Australia's smallest raptors and is about 30-36 cm long. Resembles the Peregrine Falcon, however it is much smaller and has darker plumage. It gets its scientific name from its narrow long-flighted wings.

[edit] Similar Species

In flight may resemble White-throated Needletail.

[edit] Distribution

Found mainly in Australia. It is also a winter migrant to Indonesia and New Guinea.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

There are 2 subspecies:

• F. l. hanieli:

• Lesser Sundas (Lombok to Timor)

• F. l. longipennis:

• Australia and Tasmania; winters to New Guinea and Moluccas

A third subspecies murchisonianus^[2] is not recognised by all authorities

Juvenile
Photo by Mat & Cathy
Lake Tutchewop, northern Victoria, Australia, January 2009

[edit] Habitat

Open woodlands and scrub, parks and gardens. Lakes and marshes.

[edit] Behaviour

It inhabits open woodlands where it manoeuvres swiftly through the foliage in chase of other birds.

[edit] Diet

They will hunt small birds, up to nearly their own size, and are often seen at dusk hunting bats and large insects.

[edit] Breeding

When breeding it takes over nests of other birds. The female incubates and broods young while the male hunts.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
2. Avibase
3. Wikipedia
4. BF Member observations

Photo byaussietrev Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, February 2008

Courtship display. Male (above) passes a prey item to his mate Photo bystoop St Kilda Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, Australia, October 1993

[edit] External Links

• Arthur Grosset's Birds