Justification This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is experiencing a moderately rapid population decline, owing to habitat loss and degradation. This species would qualify for uplisting to a higher threat category if evidence suggests a rapid population decline.

Family/Sub-family Falconidae

Species name author Linnaeus, 1766

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

300,000 - 800,000

unset

10,700,000 km²

No

Range & population Falco vespertinus breeds in eastern Europe and west, central and north-central Asia, with its main range from Belarus south to Hungary, northern Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Moldova and east Bulgaria, eastward through Ukraine and north-west and south Russia and north Kazakhstan to extreme north-west China and the upper Lena river (Russia). It winters in southern Africa, from South Africa northwards to southern Kenya¹. In Central Europe, 1,000-3,500 birds congregate at migratory roost sites¹⁰. It has a large global population estimated to be 300,000-800,000 individuals¹, but recent evidence suggests that it is undergoing large declines in parts of its range. The European population of 26,000-39,000 pairs (forming 25-49% of the global population) suffered a large decline during 1970-1990², and has continued to decline during 1990-2000, particularly in the key populations in Russia and Ukraine, with overall declines exceeding 30% in ten years (three generations)³. Declines have also been reported from eastern Siberia, where the species may have disappeared as a breeder from the Baikal region^4,5. In Hungary estimated populations have declined from 2,000-2,500 pairs in the late 1980s to 600-700 pairs based on surveys in 2003-2006^6,10, and in Bulgaria very few active colonies remain⁷. In 2006, surveys in Bulgaria found the species breeding at only 26 sites, out of 75 known locations¹¹. However, populations in central Asia appear to be stable, with the species reported to be common in suitable habitats in Kazakhstan (especially in forest-steppe zone with Rook Corvus frugilegus colonies), and no evidence of any population declines there⁸. Some small marginal populations in south-west Europe are also stable or increasing³, especially in Italy¹⁰.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: The species breeds in open lowlands with trees and plenty of insects, on which it feeds, including steppe and forest-steppe, open woodland, cultivation and pastureland with tall hedgerows or fringing trees, agricultural areas with shelterbelts and, in the north-east, boggy areas and taiga edge. It is usually colonial, breeding in disused nests of other birds (most commonly C. frugilegus), but can also be solitary. It is found from sea-level to c.300 m in the west, but to 1,500 m in Asia¹.

Threats Threats include destruction of suitable nest-sites when rookery trees are felled for agricultural expansion or timber^1,11 and, more significantly, the widespread use of pesticides is affecting the food supply¹. In Central Europe, agricultural intensification is causing habitat loss, and a decrease in extensive grassland management, especially grazing, is affecting the species's food supply¹⁰. From 1980 to 1999 intensive poisoning of C. frugilegus in Hungary forced the species to change its nest site selection habits, and large colonies have nearly disappeared there as a result, with only 38% of the population breeding colonially⁶. As productivity is generally greater in larger colonies, further decreases may occur. The species appears to be hunted opportunistically during migration. In October 2007, 52 birds that had been roosting at Phasouri, Cyprus, were found shot (46 already dead and six wounded)⁹. Two suspects were arrested seven days later; they contested charges in court in December 2007, and a trial was scheduled for January 2008⁹.

Conservation measures underway Added to Annex I of EU Birds Directive in 2004. Recent conservation measures in Hungary have shown that birds will occupy artificial colonies, meaning that this could be a useful mid-term conservation tool to stop population fragmentation¹⁰. Following surveys in Bulgaria, which indicated a decline in the number of suitable breeding sites, over 100 nest boxes were constructed and installed in suitable places during 2006; however, none were used by the species in 2007¹¹. Anti-poaching patrols have been increased in the Akrotiri area of Cyprus, following the unprecedented loss of a migratory flock to hunters in October 2007⁹.

Conservation measures proposed Continue to carry out regular surveys to monitor population trends. Conduct further research into the effects of changes in agriculture and land management. Change farming and land-use practices in Central Europe, through EU policy and/or national schemes. Provide more artificial colonies for the species. Prevent hunting in problem areas through law enforcement, prosecution and awareness campaigns.

References 1. Ferguson-Lees et al. (2001). 2. Tucker and Heath (1994). 3. BirdLife International (2004). 4. I. Fefelov in litt. (2005). 5. Popov (2000). 6. P. Palatitz in litt. (2005). 7. N. Petkov in litt. (2005). 8. E. Bragin in litt. (2005). 9. BirdLife International news (www.birdlife.org/news) (2007). 10. P. Palatitz in litt. (2007). 11. Anon. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)

Text account compilers Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Evgeny Bragin (Naurzum National Nature Reserve), I. Fefelov (Research Institute of Biology, Irkutsk University), Peter Palatitz (BirdLife Hungary), Nicky Petkov (Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds), Anthony Van Zyl

IUCN Red List evaluators Ian Burfield (BirdLife International - European Division), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Falco vespertinus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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