Oriental hobby

The Oriental hobby (Falco severus) is a species of falcon typically 27–30 cm long. It can be found in the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, across the eastern Himalayas and ranges southwards through Indochina to Australasia.^[2] It has been recorded as a vagrant from Malaysia.

Oriental hobby
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Falconiformes
Family:	Falconidae
Genus:	Falco
Species:	F. severus
Binomial name
Falco severus Horsfield, 1821

Diet and habitats

The Oriental hobby feeds mainly on insects and birds, and has in rare instances been observed as catching bats.^[3] Its typical habitats are lowland forested areas and woodland. It nests in used nest of other birds either in trees, on building ledges or on cliffs. Its breeding season is from May to August.^[4]

Identification

Adult is rich chestnut below, bluish-grey above with a black hood and pale throat. Juvenile has black streaks on its rufous chest and has a mottled back. They do not exhibit sexual dimorphism.^[4]