The sooty falcon is a medium-sized falcon breeding from northeastern Africa to the southern Persian Gulf region. The word sooty means to be covered in soot (ash), and is used to describe the color of the Sooty Falcon. Hence, the falcon gets its name from its color, the color of soot.
Region
Northeast Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and western Indian Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on rocky offshore islets, coastal desert cliffs, and sparsely vegetated wadis from Libya and Egypt through the Red Sea coasts and into Oman and the southern Persian Gulf. Prefers open, arid landscapes with nearby access to shoreline updrafts and open airspace for aerial hunting. During nonbreeding, it occurs mainly around Madagascar and along the East African coast, frequenting coastal plains, mangroves, and open savanna edges. It usually avoids densely forested interiors and high mountains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The sooty falcon is a late-summer breeder, timing its nesting to coincide with the passage of migrating small birds that become key prey for its chicks. It breeds mainly on barren coastal islands and desert cliffs from northeastern Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, then migrates to winter primarily around Madagascar and coastal East Africa. Adults are uniformly slate- to sooty-gray, which gives the species its name. Declines in some colonies are linked to disturbance and coastal development.
Temperament
alert and agile
Flight Pattern
rapid, agile flier with long pointed wings; capable of swift aerial chases
Social Behavior
Often nests in loose colonies on offshore islets or cliff complexes, with simple scrapes on rock or bare ground. Pairs are monogamous within a season, and both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing. Breeding is timed late (often June–August) to exploit peak movements of southbound migratory passerines.
Migratory Pattern
Long-distance migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet away from nests, but near breeding sites gives sharp, high-pitched ki-ki-ki alarm calls. Contact calls are shorter and raspier, especially during territorial interactions.
Plumage
Mostly uniform sooty to bluish-grey with slightly darker flight feathers; juveniles browner with faint streaking. Throat often a little paler, contrasting subtly with underparts.
Diet
Takes small birds on the wing as primary prey during breeding, often capturing migrating passerines in swift aerial pursuits. Also hunts large insects such as dragonflies and locusts, and occasionally takes small reptiles. Prey is usually taken in open airspace or over shorelines, sometimes after short stoops from height.
Preferred Environment
Forages over coastal waters, desert edges, and open plains where thermals and updrafts aid sustained flight. Often hunts along migration flyways and around island or coastal promontories where birds concentrate.
