Hi all
I photographed this falcon over a golf course in Pretoria, South Africa. Possibilities here would include:
-Lanner and Peregrine - resident
-Amur Falcon - common summer migrant
-Eurasian Hobby - uncommon to fairly common summer migrant
- Eleonora's and Sooty - extremely rare vagrants and pretty much unheard of here on the South African highveld.
In my opinion, the bird looks rather slender, with long, thin wings and a long tail, which I think would exclude Lanner and Peregrine. It has a prominent black hood and thick moustachial stripe, and broadly streaked underparts, which I think fit Eurasian Hobby, rather than Amur Falcon, the best. Barring on the tail seems to extend from around the tip to the vent (see the 3rd and 4th photos) and in the 5th photo there may be a bit of rufous colouration around the vent, but probably not enough for this to be a mature adult bird.
The bird appeared to be hunting swifts and swallows in fast, circling (not soaring), level flight. At one point it seemed to do a level high-pursuit chase or dive. Lastly, there were many Pantala flavescens dragonflies frequenting the open areas of the course, which I know are also favoured food of the Eurasian Hobby.
It would be great to hear some more opinions! Thanks!
Kind regards
Keanu
I photographed this falcon over a golf course in Pretoria, South Africa. Possibilities here would include:
-Lanner and Peregrine - resident
-Amur Falcon - common summer migrant
-Eurasian Hobby - uncommon to fairly common summer migrant
- Eleonora's and Sooty - extremely rare vagrants and pretty much unheard of here on the South African highveld.
In my opinion, the bird looks rather slender, with long, thin wings and a long tail, which I think would exclude Lanner and Peregrine. It has a prominent black hood and thick moustachial stripe, and broadly streaked underparts, which I think fit Eurasian Hobby, rather than Amur Falcon, the best. Barring on the tail seems to extend from around the tip to the vent (see the 3rd and 4th photos) and in the 5th photo there may be a bit of rufous colouration around the vent, but probably not enough for this to be a mature adult bird.
The bird appeared to be hunting swifts and swallows in fast, circling (not soaring), level flight. At one point it seemed to do a level high-pursuit chase or dive. Lastly, there were many Pantala flavescens dragonflies frequenting the open areas of the course, which I know are also favoured food of the Eurasian Hobby.
It would be great to hear some more opinions! Thanks!
Kind regards
Keanu
