Bird Profiles - Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
Status in UK
Summer Visitor only perhaps up to 1000 pairs in good years below 500 in other years.
Brief description
Length up to 28 cm, and wingspan which is slightly smaller than Kestrel. Looks like Peregrine in colour and flight, but un mistakable as much smaller. When hunting wings are held in position similar to that of Swift
Habitat
Wetlands and farmland, hedgerow trees, and woodland edge.
Diet
Will take Dragonflies on the wing and can with the use of dramatic speed increase catch fast flying birds like Swallow and House Martin.
Nest
Usually old crows nest. This species will take to hanging baskets securely placed in tree’s, (see artificial nest site information)
As a summer visitor the Hobby normally arrives in the south of England at the same time as the Swifts (end of April- beginning of May)
Watch out for Hobby’s hawking for insects over water, one of most magnificent Falcons to observe.
Summer Visitor only perhaps up to 1000 pairs in good years below 500 in other years.
Brief description
Length up to 28 cm, and wingspan which is slightly smaller than Kestrel. Looks like Peregrine in colour and flight, but un mistakable as much smaller. When hunting wings are held in position similar to that of Swift
Habitat
Wetlands and farmland, hedgerow trees, and woodland edge.
Diet
Will take Dragonflies on the wing and can with the use of dramatic speed increase catch fast flying birds like Swallow and House Martin.
Nest
Usually old crows nest. This species will take to hanging baskets securely placed in tree’s, (see artificial nest site information)
As a summer visitor the Hobby normally arrives in the south of England at the same time as the Swifts (end of April-
Written by Chris Sperring MBE - not to be re-produced without the permission of The Hawk and Owl Trust
