Hobby
Falco subbuteo
The Hobby is a medium-sized falcon that breeds in Britain, typically seen in the summer months, particularly in the southern and eastern regions, where it can be found near woodland edges and open countryside. It is a migratory species, arriving in Britain in May and departing in September.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Hobby in the field.
The Hobby can be identified by its sleek, slate-grey back, white underside, and black wingtips, as well as its long, pointed wings and square-shaped tail. Its pale underside and dark upperparts distinguish it from other falcons.
The Hobby is slightly smaller than a Kestrel, with a length of around 29-33 cm.
The male Hobby has a slate-grey back, white underside, and black wingtips, with a pale throat patch and a dark grey crown, with a slight blue-grey tint to the upperparts.
The female Hobby is similar to the male, but with a browner tint to the upperparts and a more streaked underside, particularly on the breast and belly.
The Hobby's call is a sharp, high-pitched "kee-kee-kee" or "kik-kik-kik", often repeated in a series of short, rapid phrases.
The Hobby is a swift and agile hunter, feeding on insects, particularly dragonflies and swifts, which it catches in mid-air with its long, pointed wings and sharp talons, often flying low over open countryside and woodland edges.
The Hobby can be confused with the Peregrine Falcon, but is smaller and more slender, with a more pointed wing shape and a distinctive white underside, whereas the Peregrine has a more muscular build and a grey-blue back.
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