Black Falcon

Images ©:
Chris Clarke | Chris Clarke

Falco subniger

Large falcon, up to 55 cm. Slim, uniformly dark brown to sooty black. Pale throat. Bill and feet bluish-white. Feathered legs are short. When perched they have squared shoulders. Females are larger than males. In flight, the broad wings taper to a fine point and the long narrow tail has a squared tip, with a step at the corners.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Raptor
Biology

Breeding season: June to December. Clutch size is three to four. They nest along tree-lined creeks and rivers. Eggs are laid in the abandoned stick nests of other birds, usually high in a tree. The female mainly incubates the eggs, broods and feeds the young, while males hunt.
Distinctive Markings

Flies with swift powerful beats. It glides with slightly drooped wings.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Falconiformes
Family
Falconidae
Genus
Falco
Species
subniger

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The Black Falcon is the largest falcon.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore. Feeds on birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles and sometimes carrion (dead animals). They steal prey from other raptors. When prey is sighted, the bird swoops down and grasps it in its claws (talons), killing the prey with a bite to the spine.
Habitat

Found in open grasslands and agricultural areas.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
Usually silent, but can have a deep harsh chatter, slow whining and soft whistle.