Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor)

The Sooty Falcon is a prey bird inhabiting North Africa and the Middle East. They exhibit a streamlined body with an overall grey-blue color. Even more striking is its sleek, curved yellow beak. The adults are approximately 13-16 inches long and weigh around 0.5 pounds, lending them a moderate build.

This type of falcon undertakes remarkable long-distance migrations. An adult Sooty Falcon traveled over 3400 miles from UAE to Madagascar in 13 days1.

The Sooty Falcon is a skilled hunter, using its swift and agile flight to catch prey in mid-air. Its diet consists mainly of small birds and flying insects, although it prefers dragonflies. Interestingly, it likes to hunt at dawn or dusk.