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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Falco eleonorae
Eleonora's falcon (male, pale morph). Greek: μαυρoπετρίτης (αρσενικός, ανοιχτόχρωμη μορφή).
Monolithos, August 2004.
Common in south-western coastal areas. Significant decline in numbers over last two decades. Breeding migrant, April to October, from southeast Africa, mainly Madagascar. Over 70% of global population breed in Greece, with large concentration in Aegean basin, hence arguably country’s most important bird species. Length 35-45 cm, wingspan 85-105 cm. Dimorphic: overall black-brown dark morph outnumbered about three-to-one by pale morph with white throat and brown-streaked buff underside. Cere and eye ring yellow in males, blue-grey in females. Graceful and versatile flyer. Takes and eats large insects in flight. Unique breeding behaviour: nests in colonies on rocky islets in late July; at peak of autumn southbound migration, takes small to medium-size birds to provide young with protein-rich food. Mostly in small groups, hunts birds low over sea surface in early and late hours and often on moonlit nights. Stores hunting spoils for subsequent feeding.
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