Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)

Key Facts

• Latin name: Falco vespertinus
• IUCN status: Vulnerable¹
• Global population: Estimated at 300,000-400,000 mature individuals, with 58,000–85,000 breeding pairs in Europe.²
• Migration Route: African-Eurasian flyway, Central Asian Flyway

Description

• Wingspan:  65–75 cm 
• Life span: Up to 15 years 
• Distinct features: Males are dark grey with striking red feet, legs, and undertail, perfectly matching  their name. Females are easily recognized by their distinctive reddish-brown cap and dark-streaked underparts. Juveniles, on the other hand, are mottled brown, resembling females but with slightly lighter plumage.
• Favourite food: Insects, but also smaller vertebrates such as frogs and small mammals
• Top Speed: Up to 70 km/h
• Habitat: Open grasslands, farmland, and savannas during winter migration

Flight for survival

The Red-footed Falcon’s aerial agility and vivid colouring make it a remarkable sight on its migratory journey. Although it is a smaller raptor, it is highly sociable and frequently travels in flocks- a behaviour that sets it apart from most birds of prey. During migration, it can cover thousands of kilometres, moving from its breeding grounds in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to wintering grounds in Southern Africa. It often roosts in large groups, which provides safety in numbers and increases its chances of survival during migration.

Red-footed Falcons don’t build their own nests; instead, they occupy abandoned nests of corvids, such as Rooks (Corvus frugilegus). Alarmingly, Rooks have gone through a major decline, which also threatens the availability of nests for the Red-footed Falcon. In many parts of Eastern Europe, Rook populations have declined due to agricultural intensification, changes in land use, and direct human persecution as they were perceived as “agricultural pests”. In some areas, Rooks have shifted from traditional nesting sites in open farmland to more urbanized areas. To support Red-footed Falcon populations , conservationists have introduced artificial nest boxes in suitable breeding areas. These boxes have been instrumental in stabilizing and even increasing local Red-footed Falcon numbers by providing safe, accessible nesting sites in areas where natural options have dwindled.  

Agricultural intensification has also resulted in the loss of steppe and grassland habitats that are critical for the Red-footed Falcon. The conversion of these areas to intensive agriculture has reduced the availability of prey, nesting sites, and roosting areas, further threatening the species’ survival.

BirdLife’s work

Since agriculture poses a significant threat to the Red-footed Falcon, we are diligently collaborating with our Partners across Europe to support the recovery of this species and other vulnerable farmland birds. Our efforts include advocating for a more nature-friendly Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU’s farming subsidies system. Currently, this system incentivizes farm size over environmental stewardship. By reforming this system, we aim to promote agricultural practices that protect habitats and food sources critical to the survival of farmland birds.

The Red-footed Falcon holds special significance for our Hungarian Partner, MME/BirdLife Hungary, as 40% of the EU’s population breeds in Hungary. To support this species, MME/BirdLife Hungary actively engages in habitat restoration, advocates for bird-friendly agriculture, and has established an extensive network of artificial nest boxes. This initiative has been crucial in supporting breeding colonies, helping to stabilize the population despite the scarcity of natural nesting sites.

Their conservation efforts extend beyond Europe, focusing on tracking migration routes, identifying crucial stopover sites, and monitoring populations. After a decade of searching, the Hungarian Red-footed Falcon conservation and research team, in collaboration with the local NGO Orbis Angola, discovered the world’s largest Red-footed Falcon roost in Angola- a single site hosting up to 1 million birds!³ Yet, such dense gatherings increase their vulnerability to threats like habitat loss from illegal logging, disturbances, and even direct killing for food. MME’s vital conservation efforts continue—learn more about their work to protect the Red-footed Falcon at falcopolis.org.

Interesting facts

A social falcon

Unlike most falcons, which are typically solitary or territorial, Red-footed Falcons display unusual social behaviour for raptors. They form loose colonies during the breeding season and gather in communal roosts during migration and wintering. Remarkably, these falcons can complete a non-stop flight across the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert in just five days. Covering distances of 8,500 to 10,000 kilometers, they reach their wintering grounds in Africa within a mere two weeks.

Locust control

With a preference for insect prey, Red-footed Falcons play a role in controlling locust populations, especially in African wintering grounds, helping to maintain ecological balance.

Cover picture by Attila Szilágyi