Eleonora's falcon is a medium-sized falcon. It belongs to the hobby group, a rather close-knit number of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis. The sooty falcon is sometimes considered its closest relative, but while they certainly belong to the same lineage, they do not seem to be close sister species. The English name and the species name eleonorae commemorate Eleanor of Arborea, Queen or Lady-Judge and national heroine of Sardinia, who in 1392, under the jurisdiction conferred by the Carta de Logu, became the first ruler in history to grant protection to hawk and falcon nests against illegal hunters. The genus name Falco is from Late Latin falx, falcis, a sickle, referring to the claws of the bird.
Region
Mediterranean Basin and western Indian Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds primarily on islands and coastal cliffs across the Mediterranean, including Greece, Spain (Balearics and Canary outliers), Italy (Sardinia and Sicily), Morocco, and other North African coasts. It favors small, predator-free islets and steep marine cliffs with ledges for nesting. During the non-breeding season it migrates via the Middle East and East Africa to winter mainly in Madagascar and surrounding western Indian Ocean waters. Birds forage over open sea, coastal scrub, and sometimes over cultivated land during migration. Offshore winds and updrafts along cliffs are frequently used during hunting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Eleonora's falcon breeds unusually late in the year so that its chicks hatch during peak autumn migration of small passerines, which become a key food source. It occurs in two striking color morphs, a pale form and a dark sooty form, within the same colonies. The species nests colonially on remote sea cliffs and islets and undertakes long-distance migrations to winter mainly around Madagascar.
Perched on a branch in the Balearic Islands
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
agile aerial hunter with long, pointed wings; rapid, powerful strokes interspersed with buoyant glides
Social Behavior
Nests in loose to dense colonies on sea cliffs and offshore islets, often reusing ledges. Breeding is delayed to late summer so that fledging coincides with southbound passerine migration. Pairs are monogamous; both sexes incubate and provision chicks, and colonies show strong site fidelity.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet away from nests, but at colonies emits sharp, chattering calls and harsh kek-kek alarms. Vocal activity increases during territorial interactions and food deliveries.
Plumage
Slim, long-winged falcon with two morphs: pale morph shows buff underparts with fine streaking and contrasting dark cap and moustachial stripe; dark morph appears uniformly sooty-brown with minimal contrast. Both morphs have long, narrow wings and a long tail giving a hobby-like silhouette.
Diet
During the breeding season it preys mainly on migrating small birds caught on the wing over sea and coastal headlands. Outside the breeding season it switches heavily to large insects, especially dragonflies, taken high over water or fields. It occasionally captures small reptiles or other small vertebrates when available.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along sea cliffs, over open water, and above coastal scrub or low vegetation. During migration and winter it often forages over wetlands, lagoons, and near-shore waters where aerial prey concentrates.
