One of the smallest birds of prey in Australia, 30-35cm in length. A member of the Falcon family, however flight is lighter, wandering, with erratic changes in direction, often stopping to hover – unlike other falcons. Chestnut or mid rufous wings and back, white finely streaked chest. Male has a light grey head and grey tail, whilst the female has a rufous head. Females are larger than the males. Frequents open habitats such as woods, grassland, sparse scrub, heath, farms, roadsides and coastal dunes. They can be spotted sitting on powerlines from time to time. Common to mainland Australia.
Classifications:
Bird, forest and grassland
Family:
Falconidae
Information sources:
The Michael Morcombe E-guide to Australian Birds (Ipod app)
