Colours
Distinguishing features
They are found in light and dark forms and a variety of intermediates. Animals typically have red-brown heads with narrow black streaks with a light crown and off white chin. Wings are a spotted red-brown with dark brown quills. Beaks are light blue/grey, eyes are brown. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 48 cm to 51 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Females
- From 41 cm to 45 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Males
Wingspan
- From 88 cm to 115 cm
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Diet
eats small mammals, including house mice and young rabbits. It also eats small birds, lizards, snakes and a variety of invertebrates particularly caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets and beetles. Insects form the bulk of the animals diet during winter and the falcons often chase the insects on the ground.
It does not hunt by chasing its prey in flight. Its main method of searching for its food is to sit quietly on a high perch such as a dead branch on a tree or power pole. It drops down on its prey and grabs it with its talons. The falcon also searches for prey whilst gliding and flying. (Wikipedia)
