The Barbary Falcon, or Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides, is a medium-sized raptor which belongs to the family Falconidae. This bird species is sometimes incorrectly considered to be a subspecies of the peregrine falcon. However, differences exist between the two over flight styles, plumage and ranges. In appearance, while the peregrine falcons have a blue-gray back and wings, barred white underparts and a black head, the Barbary falcon has paler gray-blue upperparts than the peregrines, with paler underbellies and a black bar on their backs. They have a black streak on each cheek, a white face and big darkish eyes with yellow lines across the eyelids and beaks. Just as with the peregrine falcon, the female is larger than the male. However, both male and female look alike.
The barbary falcon is a non-migratory bird and may be found on the Canary Islands eastwards across some parts of North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. It prefers semi-desert areas, grasslands, open hill country and mountainous regions. Its call is a ‘kach-kach-kach’ or ‘rek-rek-rek’. Male falcons are called tiercels and females are called falcons. The baby chicks are called ‘eyases’.
It can fly at high elevations and are 100 percent carnivores that feed on anything that can be caught, including shorebirds, insects, snakes, ducks, fish, rodents and even carrion. It prefers to lay its eggs in nests which are built on cliff ledges, the hollows of broken trees or in other bird’s nests in a tree. Sometimes they nest on the ground as well. They form long-lasting bonds with their partner and are territorial. The female lays around 5 eggs and incubates them over a period of 33 to 35 days. The young take almost 3 years to become adults and the mother often stays with them till they are independent. This raptor has a lifespan of about 20 years. It is listed as ‘threatened’ by the IUCN.
Picture Credit : Google
