- Falco vespertinus
Identification
Distribution
Eurasia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Breeds in scattered pockets in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary and northern Yugoslavia, south Romania and north Bulgaria. More widespread in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia east across Asia to extreme north-west China in north-western Sinkiang.
A first-summer male found on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, USA by Vernon Laux on 8 August 2004 is the first North American record for this species, assuming the bird is accepted as being of wild origin (at this point, there is nothing to suggest that it is not wild). A photo of that bird is in the Gallery.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Breeds in steppe country with wooded areas, along forest edges and clearings, and in river valleys and cultivated areas. Often hunts over wetlands, especially on passage.