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Large-headed falcon with variable brownish plumage ranging from dark chocolate brown, to reddish, to tan.
Not listed
Indigenous: Garrgany, A-Garrkganyh, Chicken Hawk, Cackling Hawk, Western Hawk, Brown Hawk, Striped Hawk, White-Breasted Hawk, Striped Brown Hawk, Orange-Speckled Hawk
At a glance
FamilyFalcons and Caracaras
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatOpen country, coast, woodland edge, river corridors, and thermal-rich skies over fields or ridgelines.
Best timeReported across most months in Victoria, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
16799visible hotspots
196843visible records
6states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
All have a dark moustache mark, long unfeathered lower legs, and a finely barred tail. Take care to identify dark birds from Black Falcon, which has feathered legs, and a more angular heavy-shouldered appearance. When gliding holds its wingtips up.
Behavior
Common resident in rural areas, often perches on power lines, fence posts. Populations tend to move when food and water is scarce.
Gallery