Hovering Falcons ? (1 Viewer)

jpoyner

Well-known member

• Jul 31, 2004

• #1

Here's a good trivia question...stems from a debate I was just having. How many world falcons regularly hover in order to catch prey.
Even better who can name them? Don't ask me for the answer, I'm still stuck on this one. 15 was the highest figure quoted so far.

JP

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Aug 1, 2004

• #2

Hi JP,

From Lynx HBW:

1 Lesser Kestrel
2 Common Kestrel
3 Madagascar Kestrel
4 Mauritius Kestrel
5 Spotted Kestrel
6 Australian Kestrel
7 American Kestrel
8 Greater Kestrel
9 Fox Kestrel
10 Dickinson's Kestrel
(but not Seychelles Kestrel, and Grey & Banded Kestrels only rarely)
11 Red-footed Falcon
12 Amur Falcon
13 Eleonora's
14 Aplomado

4-5 others noted as hovering occasionally or rarely, inc Lanner & Saker

Michael

 

N

Neil

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2004

• #3

I have seen a brown falcon do a bit of hovering here (Sydney region) but usually only when there is a bit of a breeze blowing. Of course the Black-Shouldered Kite hovers like Kestrels .

 

Rob Smallwood

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2004

• #4

What about Red-footed Falcon? I've often watched tmigrating flocks hovering in Turkey.

 

Rob Smallwood

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2004

• #5

What about Red-footed Falcon? I've often watched tmigrating flocks hovering in Turkey.

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Sorry Michael- just read your reply properly !! Off up the Goyt Valley now before I put my foot in it again!!

 

jpoyner

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2004

• #6

So including Black Shouldered Kite that is 15. The friend who calculated 15 did it within two minutes............think I owe a beer.
Thanks Michael.......couldn't work out what "Lynx HBW" was that you used ??

I forgot BS Kite too, should have known that one I've seen them often enough in Portugal!

JP

 

mike coleman

BF Irregular

• Aug 1, 2004

• #7

Just a thought, but since when has a Black-shouldered Kite been a falcon?

 

jpoyner

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2004

• #8

mike coleman said:

Just a thought, but since when has a Black-shouldered Kite been a falcon?

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Oh yes :h?: ........well spotted, 14 then. Well it sort of looks like one anyway at least..........from a distance...........in the heat haze.............when it hovers..........and you can't see its tail.......it could well be a falcon, or maybe not......this bird can't even make up it's mind about it's English name. "Black-Winged"......where's it's Black wings then........calls itself an elanus......whats all that about..no wonder I'm confused. I just renamed it.....Black Wing-tipped Falconish Kite.

 

Last edited: Aug 1, 2004

Rob Smallwood

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2004

• #9

Thanks Michael.......couldn't work out what "Lynx HBW" was that you used ??

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Handbook of the Birds of the World published by Lynx - if you can afford it then it it is THE book to own.

I wish I 'd kept up my subscription which I let lapse after 2 volumes - I just couldn't justify the cost - but what a book!!

 

craig whitmore

Well-known member

• Aug 2, 2004

• #10

mike coleman said:

Just a thought, but since when has a Black-shouldered Kite been a falcon?

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This side of the big drink the black sholdered kite is now called the white tailed kite. It's of the order Falconformes. Does that make it a falcon? Another of the order is the osprey that also hovers like mad.

Craig

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Aug 2, 2004

• #11

Well, Common Buzzards can also hover come to that, but, no: I think we're meant to be discussing falconidae, not falconiformes.