Native to eastern Europe and central Asia, this falcon breeds in open woodlands and farmlands, then undertakes an impressive journey each year to spend the winter in southern Africa. Although not as widely recognized as some of its falcon relatives, the red-footed falcon is a fascinating and beautiful raptor with a lot of character.
Adult males are especially eye-catching. They have slate-gray plumage, with bright reddish-orange legs, feet, and underparts, which give the species its name. Their beaks are tipped with a yellow cere, and their eyes are surrounded by a bold orange eye-ring. Females look quite different: they are lighter, with pale gray heads, orange facial markings, and brownish streaked backs, making it easy to tell the sexes apart. Juveniles resemble females but with even more streaking and a slightly duller appearance.
Red-footed falcons are aerial hunters, relying on their speed and agility to catch flying insects like dragonflies, beetles, and grasshoppers, especially during the non-breeding season. They also hunt small mammals, birds, and reptiles, often hovering like kestrels or gliding low over open fields. During migration and in winter, they are highly social and can often be seen in flocks, hunting together over grasslands or roosting in trees.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this falcon is its migration. Each year, red-footed falcons fly thousands of kilometers from their breeding grounds in Europe and Asia to wintering areas in southern and eastern Africa, passing through the Middle East along the way. This incredible journey is not only a physical feat but also exposes them to many risks, including habitat loss, hunting, and climate change impacts along their migratory route.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia And Herz.
Botswana
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
Egypt
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malawi
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
São Tomé & Príncipe
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turkey
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
