Brown Falcon

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Brown Falcon
Brown Falcon

Brown Falcon

Falco berigora

Breeding season in southern Australia is from August to November. This species does not build its own nest but occupies nests built by other bird species. The nest is often relined. The female lays a clutch of 2-3 eggs which are incubated for 31-35 days chiefly by the female but the male will also take this role at times. The male supplies most of the food during this time. The young fly at 30 days.

Details Description
Type
Bird
Group
Raptor
Identifying Characteristics

A small-medium falcon (40-50 cm). The upper surface varies from dark to light brown and the underside is off-white. The sides of the head are brown. Long, heavy scaled legs and short talons. The female is larger than the male.
Distinctive Markings

Double 'teardrop' enclosing pale cheek patch. Always has red-brown to dark brown 'trousers'.
Diet

Carnivore. Small mammals including mice, rabbits and bandicoots. Insects including grasshoppers, cicadas and beetles as well as small lizards, snakes and birds.
Habitat

Prefers open grassland and agricultural areas. Perches on scattered trees and telegraph poles. Also found in open woodland, mulga scrub, watercourse treelines, alpine areas, heath and coastal dunes.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Sounds
Loud, raucous cackling "karairk - kuk - kukkuk". Single calls "karark", "kar - r - ra"', "airrrk".
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Falconiformes
Family
Falconidae
Genus
Falco
Species
berigora
Brown Falcon
Found throughout Australia and New Guinea.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

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