Falco vespertinus vespertinus
<Rare and Endangered Animals of Armenia
The Red-footed Falcon
File:Redfootedfalcon.jpg The Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) is a bird of prey. It belongs to the family Falconidae, the falcons.
This bird is widespread in eastern Europe and Asia. It is migratory, wintering in Africa. It is a regular wanderer to western Europe, and in August of 2004 a Red-footed Falcon was found in North America for the first time on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
It is a medium-small, long-winged species. The adult male is all blue-grey, except for his red undertail and legs. The female has a grey back and wings, orange head and underparts, and a white face with black eye stripe and moustaches.
Young birds are brown above and buff below with dark streaks, and a face pattern like the female. Red-footed Falcons are 28-34cm in length with a wingspan of 65-75cm.
This is a diurnal bird of open country with some trees, often near water. Its distinctive method of hunting is shared by the Common Kestrel. It regularly hovers, searching the ground below, then makes a short steep dive towards the target. The Red-footed Falcon's main prey is large insects, but it will also take small mammals and birds.
This falcon is a colonial breeder, reusing the old nests of corvids, such as Rooks. It lays 2-4 eggs.
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Animal in Armenia
Սովորական մանրաբազե (“Sovorakan manrabaze”)
Status
Disappearing for Armenian fauna species.
Habitat in Armenia
Registered in Artashat, Armavir, and Ejmiatsin region. Nesting also registered in Tsakhkadzor village, Kotayk Marz.
Number in the wild
The overall number in Armenia is not available. Nesting of this bird in Armenia has not been registered recently.
Reasons for decrease in number
Degradation of the natural habitat. Decrease of forage resources.
Number in captivity
No data.
Measures of protection taken
Hunting is forbidden in the territory of Armenia.