Brown Falcon
Falco berigora
Meet the Brown Falcon
Habitat & Range
Brown Falcons are found across Australia, including Tasmania, and are well adapted to a wide variety of open habitats.
They can be seen in grasslands, farmland, open woodland, shrubland and other landscapes where there are suitable perches and open areas for hunting.
Fence posts, dead trees and exposed branches provide useful vantage points from which a Brown Falcon can watch for prey.
What's on the Menu?
Brown Falcons are opportunistic carnivores with a varied diet. They may feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and other suitable prey.
Their flexible hunting behaviour allows them to take advantage of different food sources depending on what is available in their environment.
Amazing Adaptations
Brown Falcons have excellent eyesight, allowing them to scan open landscapes for movement from a high perch.
Strong feet and sharp talons help capture and hold prey, while the hooked beak is adapted for tearing food.
Their broad wings allow controlled flight and soaring, while also giving them the manoeuvrability needed to hunt close to the ground.
Did You Know?
Brown Falcons can vary greatly in colour. Some individuals are pale brown while others can be much darker, which can sometimes make identification challenging.
Despite the name, not every Brown Falcon looks particularly brown!
Behaviour
Brown Falcons are active during the day and are often seen sitting upright on exposed perches while watching the ground below.
When prey is spotted, they may launch from their perch and pursue it close to the ground.
Brown Falcons may also search for prey while flying over open country. Their adaptable hunting style helps them live in a wide range of Australian environments.
Conservation & Threats
Brown Falcons remain widespread, but individual birds can be injured or killed by hazards associated with human-modified landscapes.
Vehicle collisions, entanglement, habitat changes and collisions with infrastructure can all affect birds of prey.
Raptors can also be exposed to harmful substances when they consume prey that has eaten poison. Responsible pest control can help reduce the risk of secondary poisoning.
Brown Falcons at Trowunna
Trowunna provides specialist care and rehabilitation for injured native birds, including birds of prey.
When a bird recovers sufficiently to survive independently, returning it to the wild is the goal. Some birds suffer permanent injuries that mean release is no longer possible and require ongoing specialist care.
Birds in Trowunna's care also help visitors learn about the remarkable adaptations of Tasmania's raptors and the human-related hazards they may encounter in the wild.
How You Can Help
- Slow down when driving and watch for birds feeding or hunting near roads.
- Avoid unnecessary use of poisons that may move through the food chain.
- Protect mature trees and native vegetation.
- Dispose of fishing line, netting and other entanglement hazards responsibly.
- Never deliberately feed wild birds of prey.
- Report injured native birds to an appropriate wildlife rescue service.
Wildlife Welfare Comes First
Birds of prey need calm surroundings and the opportunity to retreat from visitors whenever they choose.
Please do not feed, touch, call to or attempt to interact with Trowunna's falcons. Keep noise to a minimum around their enclosures and always follow instructions from our wildlife keepers.