Eleonora's Falcon

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Eleonora's Falcon in the UK

A rare vagrant. There are around ten accepted British records, the first at Formby Point, Lancashire, in August 1977. Most were brief flyovers seen by one or a few observers. That changed in 2022, when one stayed in east Kent from 26 May to 4 June and another lingered on the north-east Norfolk coast from late August into September. It breeds on Mediterranean islands, the Canaries and the Atlantic coast of Morocco, and winters mainly in Madagascar. All claims are assessed by the national rarities committee.

Where and when to see an Eleonora's Falcon

There is no regular site. Records fall between late May and October and cluster in eastern England, with Norfolk the leading county. Watch any large, long-winged falcon hawking dragonflies over coastal marshes, broads and dunes in warm southerly weather, especially one among Hobbies. The 2022 birds used Worth Marshes and Stodmarsh in Kent and the Horsey to Waxham coast in Norfolk. News breaks on the bird news services. Most earlier birds were gone in minutes, so a lingering one draws a fast twitch.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Mediterranean sea-cliffs.
Diet: Migrant songbirds.
Field note: Late-summer breeder.

How to identify an Eleonora's Falcon

Between a Hobby and a Peregrine in size but slimmer than both, with very long, narrow wings and a long tail. It comes in two colour forms. Pale birds look like a big Hobby: dark above, white cheeks and throat, a dark moustache and rusty-buff underparts with heavy streaks. Dark birds are sooty brown all over. On both, the dark underwing coverts contrast with paler bases to the flight feathers, the best single feature. Flight is relaxed, with slow, elastic wingbeats. It catches and eats insects on the wing. Most British birds have been one-year-olds.

Call and song

Usually silent in Britain, and none of the vagrants here has been noted for calling. At breeding colonies it gives a harsh, nasal 'kyeh-kyeh-kyeh'. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Eurasian Hobby: Hobby is smaller and shorter-tailed, with red 'trousers' on adults and an underwing that looks evenly barred, without dark coverts.
• Red-footed Falcon: A dark male Red-footed Falcon is much smaller, with silvery flight feathers above and red legs and cere.
• Peregrine Falcon: Peregrine is heavier and broader-winged with a shorter tail and barred, not streaked, underparts in adults.

Related guide UK raptors and owls.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Eleonora's Falcon is an Epic tier bird, worth +20 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• GyrfalconEpic · Cliffs (rare winter visitor)
• Peregrine FalconUncommon · Cliffs
• Lesser KestrelEpic · Open farmland
• American KestrelLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Amur FalconLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
• Eurasian HobbyUncommon · Heathland

Eleonora's Falcon: quick answers

Has an Eleonora's Falcon ever been seen in the UK?

Yes. There are around ten accepted British records since the first in Lancashire in 1977, from Cornwall to the Outer Hebrides. The two birds of 2022, in Kent and Norfolk, were the first that large numbers of birders were able to see.

What is the difference between Eleonora's Falcon and Hobby?

Size and shape first: Eleonora's is larger, with longer wings and a longer tail. Then check the underwing. On Eleonora's the coverts are dark and the flight feather bases paler, giving a two-tone look that Hobby lacks.

What does an Eleonora's Falcon eat?

Large flying insects for most of the year, including dragonflies and beetles. It breeds late, in late summer and autumn, so that chicks can be fed on small migrant birds caught over the sea as they head south.

Kit that helps

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