Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae)

Bird of prey measuring 36-42 cm in total length, with a wingspan of 87-104 cm. It occurs in two different colour morphs: the dark form has entirely chocolate-brown (nearly black) plumage, while the light form is darker on the back, with an orangey-brown belly and numerous vertical streaks. The throat and cheeks are white. Several intermediate individuals have also been recorded. This falcon breeds on islands and islets in the Mediterranean, along the Atlantic seaboard of Morocco and in the Canaries, specifically on Alegranza, Roque del Oeste, Montaña Clara and Roque del Este. It also migrates to the other Canary Islands and there have been sightings in Madeira, Porto Santo, the Savage Islands and São Vicente (Cape Verde). This species carries out extraordinary annual migrations from its breeding grounds in Madagascar, flying over the African continent or detouring via the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. It feeds mainly on small passerine migrants, though it often catches insects before or in the early stages of nesting, and preys on pelagic seabirds (storm-petrels and petrels), quails, ground-nesters, turtle-doves and other medium-sized species. It creates stocks of food by hiding its prey near the nest. Breeding occurs in the height of summer and two clutches (1-4 eggs, usually 2-3) are laid between mid July and early August. Nests are placed inside holes or hollows, or on ledges and very occasionally beneath Euphorbia communities of tabaibas or in abandoned ravens’ nests (Corvus corax). The breeding season coincides with the passing of migratory birds. These falcons leave the Canaries in mid-autumn, once the breeding season is over, which is also true for the rest of their distribution area. The current population in the Canaries amounts to just over 300 breeding pairs, but in the 1970s and 1980s there were just 60. In the 1990s, this figure gradually increased to 200, in 2000-2001. Several factors affect this species, namely human interference in nesting areas and possible predation by seagulls and other birds. Outside the islands there have been reports of poisoning and collisions with overhead cables. Fortunately, in the Canaries, this species is safeguarded by the declaration of protected natural areas and local authority surveillance programmes.