Bird Guide

Australian Hobby vs Rock Kestrel

Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)

Australian Hobby

Falco longipennis

Medium250 gForest

Smaller than other falcons, the Australian hobby is relatively slender and long winged. Its plumage varies in colour depending on sex, age and environment with a darker form in humid areas and a lighter form in drier environments. Generally the hobby displays a black cap and mask with a whitish forehead and half-collar. Underparts can be blue-grey or rufous and streaked darker. The cere in adults is a pale yellowish grey, the eye ring is pale blue, the eyes are brown and the feet are dull yellow. Females are larger in size between 34 and 35. Voice: Research undertaken comparing the vocalisations of Australian falcons, found that two structurally distinct calls were emitted when a male hobby was restrained. This included a wide band harmonic vocalisation and a trill-type vocalisation.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: patrickkavanagh · CC BY 2.0
Rock Kestrel (Falco rupicolus)

Rock Kestrel

Falco rupicolus

183 gDesert

A slender, medium-sized kestrel, between 30 and 33 centimeters tall. Adult male kestrels weigh between 183g and 254g, while females weigh between 190g and 280g.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Andrew Deacon · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Australian Hobby and Rock Kestrel.