Eurasian Hobby

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Eurasian Hobby in the UK

The Hobby is a summer visitor, here from late April to October and wintering in southern Africa. The UK breeding population is put at about 2,050 pairs, nearly all in England and Wales, and it is Green-listed. The range grew fast through the late 20th century, spreading north and west out of its old southern heathland core, and occupied range almost quadrupled between the 1968-72 and 2008-11 atlases. Survey counts have dipped by around 15% since 1995. It is a secretive nester and hard to census, so real numbers may be higher.

Where and when to see a Eurasian Hobby

Look over lowland wetlands, flooded gravel pits, heaths and river valleys in southern and eastern England. The best watching is in May, when newly arrived birds gather to feed on dragonflies and mayflies before spreading out to breed. RSPB Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk and the Avalon Marshes in Somerset (RSPB Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath) are known for these gatherings. Warm, still afternoons are best. In late summer, watch Swallow and martin roosts at dusk. Birds pass through coastal watchpoints in September.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Heathland, farmland (summer).
Diet: Dragonflies, hirundines.
Field note: Scythe-winged; takes Swallows in flight.

How to identify a Eurasian Hobby

About Kestrel size but built like a giant Swift: long, narrow, pointed wings and a shortish tail. Adults are slate-grey above with a white throat and cheek, a bold black moustache and heavy dark streaking below. The rusty-red thighs and undertail ("red trousers") clinch it at close range. Juveniles are browner above, buff below and lack the red. Flight is fast and agile, with sharp turns and stoops. It catches insects in its feet and eats them on the wing, bringing the feet up to the bill. It does not hover.

Call and song

Mostly quiet away from the nest. The call is a clear, repeated "kew-kew-kew-kew", higher and more ringing than a Kestrel, given when pairs display or an intruder comes near. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Kestrel: Kestrel has a longer tail, blunter wings, a chestnut-brown back and hovers, which a Hobby never does.
• Peregrine Falcon: Peregrine is bigger and heavier with broader wings, a shorter tail and barred (not streaked) underparts in adults, and has no red trousers.
• Common Swift: A distant Hobby can look like a big Swift, but it glides more, shows a pale throat and a longer tail, and is far larger.

Month by month

A summer visitor, typically in the UK from April to October. Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in UK raptors and owls.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Eurasian Hobby is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Eurasian Hobby is on the list:

• RSPB Arne

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• MerlinUncommon · Moorland (summer); coast (winter)
• KestrelCommon · Farmland
• Lesser KestrelEpic · Open farmland
• Peregrine FalconUncommon · Cliffs
• American KestrelLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Amur FalconLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)

Eurasian Hobby: quick answers

When is the best time to see a Hobby in the UK?

May is the peak month. Birds fresh in from Africa gather over wetlands to feed on emerging dragonflies, and several can be in the air at once. After that they pair up and become much harder to find until the young fledge in August.

What does a Hobby eat?

Large flying insects, mainly dragonflies, beetles and moths, plus small birds caught in flight. Swallows, House Martins and Swifts are regular prey, and it is one of the few birds quick enough to take them. It also takes bats at dusk.

Is the Hobby rare in the UK?

No, but it is thinly spread and only here for half the year. With around 2,000 pairs it is scarcer than Kestrel or Sparrowhawk and you are unlikely to see one by chance in the north or in Scotland. In southern England a summer evening by a lake gives a fair chance.

Kit that helps

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