Sooty Falcon

The Sooty Falcon, a medium-sized raptor, presents an air of elegance with its slender body, long pointed wings, and elongated tail. Adults exhibit a blue-grey plumage, reminiscent of the ashen hue from which its name derives. Measuring 32–37 cm in length with a wingspan of 78–90 cm, it bears a resemblance to the large hobby or a smaller Eleonora's falcon.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the Sooty Falcon, observe its uniform blue-grey coloration, lacking the black underwing coverts seen in Eleonora's falcon. Juveniles may be confused with large juvenile hobbies or small juvenile Eleonora's falcons, but can be identified by the dark trailing edges on their wings and tail, and the absence of underwing contrast due to dark coverts.

Habitat

The Sooty Falcon is adapted to arid environments, breeding on islands, coastal regions, and desert cliffs across Southwest Asia and North Africa.

Distribution

Breeding from northeastern Africa to the southern Persian Gulf, the Sooty Falcon is a long-distance migrant, wintering as far south as Madagascar and southeastern South Africa. It is a rare vagrant north of its breeding range.

Behaviour

Outside the breeding season, these falcons may hunt alone, in groups, or even in flocks of up to 15 individuals. During the breeding season, males predominantly undertake hunting responsibilities.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Sooty Falcon mainly consists of birds, such as sandgrouse, and large insects like dragonflies, which are consumed in flight. Lizards and crabs are also part of their diet. During the breeding season, they exclusively feed on small birds.

Breeding

Remarkably breeding in the intense heat of summer, Sooty Falcons may lay eggs in mid-summer and occasionally nest in colonies. They nest on ledges or rocks, laying up to four eggs. The nests, often scraped into soft limestone, chalk, or sandstone cliffs, are strategically positioned to avoid direct sunlight.

Migration

These falcons undertake a 5500-kilometer migration from their breeding grounds to their wintering habitats in Eastern and South-eastern Africa, a journey that spans approximately 13 days.

Conservation status

The Sooty Falcon was uplisted to Vulnerable status in 2017 by the IUCN, with an estimated population of 2800 to 4000 individuals that is in decline. Human disturbance is a significant threat, particularly for falcons breeding on accessible islands. Conservation efforts focus on mitigating human disturbances and protecting natural habitats.