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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Falconidae
  4. ›
  5. Falco
  6. ›
  7. Black Falcon
Black Falcon
Photo · (c) Ursina Gringer, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Black Falcon

Falco subnigerGray, GR, 1843

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
FALCONIFORMES
Family
Falconidae
Genus
Falco

At a glance

The Black Falcon is a large bird, about 45–55 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
45–55 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Black Falcon look like?

The Black Falcon is a large bird, about 45–55 cm long and weighing 510–1000 g.

The black falcon is a medium-large falcon that is endemic to Australia. It can be found in all mainland states and territories and yet is regarded as Australia's most under-studied falcon.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
45–55 cm
Weight
510–1000 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Black Falcon?

The Black Falcon is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Black Falcon eat?

The Black Falcon feeds on terrestrial vertebrates, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Black Falcon live in Australia?

The Black Falcon is endemic to Australia, recorded across 70 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except Tasmania)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded