Eurasian Hobby
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| Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), or just simply Hobby, is a small slim falcon.
This species breeds across Europe and Asia. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Africa.
It is a bird of open country such as farmland, taiga and savannah.
It is an elegant bird of prey, appearing sickle-like in flight with its long pointed wings and square tail. It will take large insects, such as dragonflies, which are transferred from talons to beak and eaten in flight. It also captures small birds in flight.
Its speed and aerobatic skills enable it to take swallows and even swifts on the wing, and Barn Swallows or House Martins have a characteristic "hobby" alarm call.
Adults are slate-grey above, and streaked below, with a white throat. Close views enable the red "trousers" and vent to be seen. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are generally much browner.
Hobbies nest in old nests of crows and other birds, laying 2-4 eggs. They are widespread in lowlands with scattered small woodlands.
A range of board games was also once going to be named "Hobby", but the inventor was refused permission by the Patent Office. This inventor, who was also a birdwatcher, therefore used the scientific name of the Hobby and called the board game Subbuteo.[1][2])
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Falco subbuteo. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- The Hamlyn photographic guide to birds of the world, foreword by Christopher Perrins; general editor: Andrew Gosler, London : Hamlyn, 1991, ISBN 0-600-57239-0
