Grey Falcon

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iGrey Falcon

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Falconiformes
Family:	Falconidae
Genus:	Falco
Species:	F. hypoleucos

Binomial name

Falco hypoleucos
Gould, 1841

The Grey Falcon, Falco hypoleucos, is a rare medium-sized falcon, one of the enigmatic ‘mystery’ birds of Australia, neither easily nor predictably seen.

1 Identification
2 Range
3 Habitat
4 Food
5 Nesting
6 Conservation
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Identification

Mainly grey upperparts and white underparts; darker on the tips of the flight feathers; yellow cere. Body length 30-45 cm; wingspan 85-95 cm; weight 350-600 g. Females larger.

[edit] Range

The Grey Falcon is an Australian endemic, usually confined to the arid inland.

[edit] Habitat

Open country: Triodia grassland, Acacia shrubland, and lightly timbered arid woodland.

[edit] Food

Mainly birds, especially parrots; also small mammals, reptiles and insects.

[edit] Nesting

Nests in trees, utilising stick nests of other species. Clutch size 2-3.

[edit] Conservation

It is found at very low densities, numbering only 1,000 breeding pairs, and the population may be stable. Continued high levels of grazing in arid zone rangelands and clearance of the semi-arid zone for marginal farming is degrading habitat. It is considered to be Near Threatened. Listed on CITES Appendix II.

[edit] References

BirdLife International. (2006). Species factsheet: Falco hypoleucos. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/12/2006
Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol,2: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553069-1