Bird Guide

Eurasian Hobby vs Nankeen Kestrel

Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)

Eurasian Hobby

Falco subbuteo

Medium208 gWoodland

Adults are slate-grey above with a dark crown and two short black moustache stripes. The throat is unstreaked white, the thighs and undertail coverts are unstreaked rufous and the rest of the underparts are whitish with black streaks. Close views enable the red "trousers" and vent to be seen. Sexes are similar. Juveniles are generally much browner, with scaled upper parts and streaked buffy thighs and undertail coverts. The hobby has a distinct first-summer plumage. This falcon is 29–36 cm (11–14 in) in length with a wingspan of 74–84 cm (29–33 in) and a weight of 175–285 g (6.2–10.1 oz).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Eurasian Hobby
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Flight call · Carolles, Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India · CC BY 2.0
Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)

Nankeen Kestrel

Falco cenchroides

Medium170 gWoodland

The nankeen kestrel is a small, slim falcon 28 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in) long with a wingspan of 66 to 78 cm (26 to 31 in). The male weighs 121 to 195 g (4.3 to 6.9 oz) while the female weighs 115 to 273 g (4.1 to 9.6 oz). It has pale rufous upper-parts with contrasting black flight-feathers and is finely streaked white below, with a black subterminal band. The cere, eye-ring, and legs are yellow. The male has a pale grey crown and tail with a darker grey tear-mark, while the female and juvenile have a pale rufous crown and finely barred rufous tail.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: patrickkavanagh · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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