Brown falcons are reddish-brown to dark brown falcon depending upon subspecies and the age of the bird, meaning their plumage (feather colours) are highly variable. Size ranges from 45cm long in the male to 50 cm long in the female. Body is in various shades of brown with paler underparts, tail is rounded. Legs and feet bluish, eyes with a brown iris and some blue around the margin, bill bluish-grey tipped with black.
The Brown Falcon is found in all but the densest forests and is locally common throughout its range. The preferred habitat is open grassland and agricultural areas, with scattered trees or structures such as telegraph poles which it uses for perching. Around outback towns, the birds become quite tame and will allow quite close approach. Birds may stay within the same areas throughout the year or may move around locally in response to changes in conditions. Brown Falcons typically feed on small mammals, insects or reptiles.
They can be seen commonly in the area, usually sitting on telegraph or power lines on the side of the road.
