Red-footed Falcon

Falco vespertinus

The Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) is a small, striking bird of prey with a length of about 28-33 cm and a wingspan of 65-75 cm. The male has a blue-grey head and upperparts, a blackish flight feathers, and a rufous underparts. The female is brown with a creamy underside and a dark eye mask. This species is known for its acrobatic flight and its preference for open grasslands, marshes, and wetlands where it hunts for insects, small birds, and rodents. The Red-footed Falcon is a migratory bird, breeding in Europe and wintering in southern Africa. Its conservation status is of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

Habitat: Open grasslands, marshes, and wetlands