The red-footed falcon, formerly the western red-footed falcon, is a bird of prey. It belongs to the family Falconidae, the falcons. This bird is found in eastern Europe and Asia although its numbers are dwindling rapidly due to habitat loss and hunting. It is migratory, wintering in Africa. It is a regular wanderer to western Europe, and in August 2004 a red-footed falcon was found in North America for the first time on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Region
Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds from Hungary and Romania through Ukraine to western Kazakhstan and southwestern Siberia, favoring open steppe, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes with scattered trees. Often associated with rookeries for nesting and with wetlands or river valleys that support abundant insect prey. During migration it funnels through southeastern Europe and the Middle East, staging in areas with high insect biomass. Winters mainly in southern Africa, using open savannas, floodplains, and farmland with perches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small falcon breeds in eastern Europe and western Asia and winters in southern Africa, undertaking long-distance migrations in large flocks. It often nests colonially, frequently reusing old rook (Corvus frugilegus) nests or readily accepting nest boxes. Numbers have declined in parts of its range due to habitat loss, changes in agriculture, and reduced availability of breeding sites. It is an occasional vagrant to western Europe and has been recorded as far as North America.
Juvenile
Pair mating
Falco vespertinus egg – Toulouse Museum, France
Adult female eating an insect
Adult male eating an insect
A colony of red-footed falcons
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
agile flier with quick, shallow wingbeats; capable of hovering and short glides
Social Behavior
Often breeds in loose colonies, commonly in former rook colonies or in clusters of nest boxes. Pairs are seasonally monogamous, and both sexes participate in provisioning young. Outside the breeding season, they form large communal roosts, especially during migration and on the wintering grounds.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, chattering kek-kek-kek calls and harsh ki-ki notes, especially around colonies. Generally quiet away from the nest, with calls used in territorial defense and pair interactions.
