The Eurasian hobby can be referred to as a hobby. Its scientific name is Falco Subbuteo, a minuscule and slim falcon.
It is a member of a rather closely bonded group of similar falcons often regarded as a subgenus, Hypotriorchis.
Falco, the genus name, is derived from the Late Latin “falx” or “falcis,” which translates to a sickle; this refers to the bird’s claws.
Subbuteo, the species name, is from the Latin “sub,” which means “near to,” and “buteo,” meaning “buzzard.”
Scientific classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. Subbuteo |
| Scientific name | Falco Subbuteo |
Description and Size
The adult birds’ upper bodies are slate-grey, with a dark crown and two small, black moustache-like stripes or markings. It has a white throat with no streaks; its thighs and the concealed parts of its tail undersides are reddish-brown with no streaks. The corners of the bird’s underside are whitish but streaked with black.
A view of the bird up close lets one see the vent and “red trousers.” Male and female Eurasian hobbies are strikingly similar, while young hobbies are much darker. The upper parts of their bodies are scaled; they also have thighs and tail underparts that are buffy and streaked.
It is a wonderful-looking bird of prey; it appears sickle-like during flight because of its elongated, pointed wings and square tail. It often bears semblance to a swift when gliding with folded wings. It is quick and powerful during flight.
The bird has an unmistakable first-summer plumage. It has a body length between 29 to 36 centimeters and a wing length between 74 and 84 centimeters. Their weight falls between 175 and 285 grams. They are incredibly light in weight.
Distribution and Habitat
This species can be found throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia. It is a migrant bird known for traveling great distances. It primarily spends the winter season in Africa and Asia.
The bird lives in open plains such as marshes or swamps, farmlands, savannahs, and taigas. They can also live in small woodlands and lowlands.
Diet
It feeds on large insects such as dragonflies, which it captures with its talons and then transfers to its beak before eating it while soaring in circular motions. It also captures and feeds on small bats and birds in flight.
It relies on its speed and aerial skills when hunting. The Eurasian hobby also preys on house martins, swallows, and swifts during flight. Like other falcons, the bird is a carnivore.
Habits
It is known to assault and disturb swallows while they sleep and depart from roosts. When the bird is not breeding, it is very active from sunset.
It hawks primarily in the mornings and evenings. Eurasian hobbies tend to move in small groups during migration. They mostly nest in the old nests of other birds, particularly Crows.
They generally prefer nesting in trees in a hedge or on the farthest end of a spinney. This nesting location supplies the bird with a vantage point to monitor intruders from a significant distance.
The bird is known for its boldness and courage. It was used in falconry and trained to hawk birds such as larks, drongos, hoopoes, and quails.
Reproduction
The Eurasian hobby usually ranges from 2 to 4 eggs per brood. The male and female parents take turns incubating the eggs, although the mother bird does more. It usually lasts for about 28 days.
Conversation status
The IUCN Red List classifies the Eurasian hobby as “Least Concern”.
