Barbary Falcon

Falco pelegrinoides (Temminck, 1829)

2017-09-27 Shuvalov settling basins, Kostroma district	©

Description

Closely related to Peregrine Falcon (by many regarded as conspecific). Very much a smaller version of Peregrine, and at times difficult to identify reliably. In size, male only marginally larger than Hobby (but bulkier and ‘chest-heavy’, like Peregrine). Owing to size, wingbeats on average slightly quicker in comparable situations. Based primarily on plumage. Adult: Compared with Peregrine, upperparts are paler blue-grey; flight-feathers from below paler with darker wing-tips and rear edge of outer wing; underbody and underwing-coverts tinged rufous (fresh) or creamy (bleached). Other criteria for Barbary are: barring of underparts less extensive (least barring on male); tendency to show dark terminal band on undertail; hint of dark ‘comma’ below on tips of primary coverts; moustachial stripe narrower; nape rusty-red (requires close range). Juvenile: Resembles juvenile Peregrine, but head is not so dark, forehead, nape and supercilium being rufous-buff; moustachial stripe narrower; tendency to show dark end-band on undertail; and streaking on underbody narrow and concentrated into central area, throat/upper breast and ‘trousers’/lower belly almost unmarked buff-white. L male 33-37 cm, female 36-39 cm, WS male 76-86 cm, female 89-98 cm.

References