EURASIAN HOBBY

Photographed at South Lake, Perth, Western Australia February 2016

762            EURASIAN HOBBY          Franco subbutteo            

Australia          (606)

Found in open wooded area, has been recorded up to 4,00 kms. 29-36 cm, wingspan 74-84 cm. Range: found over most of Europa, not found in Iceland, Ireland, northern Scandinavia and Russia. From Europa east to the Pacific Ocean and Northern Japan. Migrates and spends winter in Africa south of the Sahara. 

Note: when not breeding it is crepuscular, hawking in the morning and evenings. It flies hard and fast taking large insects, small bats and small birds like swallows, swifts and pipits.

EURASIAN CURLEW

Photographed at Port Douro, near Bunbury, Western Australia February 2016

761               EURASIAN CURLEW             Numenius arquata

Australia        (605)

Also known as Common Curlew or European Curlew. 50-60 cm. Breeds from w. Europeto sw Siberia, winters s. Europe, Africa, occasional e. to Malaysia, Borneo. In Australia, one confirmed recordEighty Mile Beach near Broome (WA) Nov 2007, several unconfirmed sight records; until this bird at Port Douro, WA Feb 2016.

Darwin, January 2024