Australian Hobby

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The Australian hobby, also known as the little falcon, is one of six Australian members of the family Falconidae. This predominantly diurnal bird of prey derives its name 'longipennis' from its long primary wing feathers. It occurs throughout Australia and other neighbouring countries with migrating individuals found on the islands of Indonesia and New Guinea.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Wing tips extend past tail (perched)

   Gives a sleek, tapered silhouette at rest, often described as 'bullet-like'.

2. 02

   Black hood with incomplete white collar

   The dark cap and prominent facial mask contrast sharply with a conspicuous whitish patch on the side of the neck.

3. 03

   Rufous-washed, finely streaked underparts

   Breast and belly show a warm rusty or buff background color, marked with fine, dark vertical streaks.

4. 04

   Dull yellow feet and tarsi

   Conspicuously yellow feet and tarsi, providing a good ID mark on perched birds.