The Grey Falcon, Falco hypoleucos, is a rare medium-sized falcon, one of the enigmatic "?mystery' birds of Australia, neither easily nor predictably seen.

Description

Mainly grey upperparts and white underparts; darker on the tips of the flight feathers; yellow cere. Body length 30-45 cm; wingspan 85-95 cm; weight 350-600 g. Females larger.

Distribution and habitat

The Grey Falcon is an Australian endemic, usually confined to the arid inland. Open country: Triodia grassland, Acacia shrubland, and lightly timbered arid woodland.

Conservation

It is found at very low densities, numbering only 1,000 breeding pairs, and the population may be stable. Continued high levels of grazing in arid zone rangelands and clearance of the semi-arid zone for marginal farming is degrading habitat.

International

It is considered to be Near Threatened. Listed on CITES Appendix II.

Australia

Grey Falcon are not listed as threatened on the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

State of Victoria, Australia

• The Grey Falcon is listed as threatened on the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). Under this Act, an Action Statement for the recovery and future management of this species has been prepared.

• On the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria, The Grey Falcon is listed as endangered.

Behaviour

Diet

Mainly birds, especially parrots; also small mammals, reptiles and insects.

Nesting

Nests in trees, utilising stick nests of other species. Clutch size 2-3.