- Falco vespertinus
Identification
Females and youngsters: indistinct face mask, buff underparts with varying degrees of streaking (most adult females tend to have only a very little bit of streaking on the side of the belly and chest). Barred grey on the back and wings. Adult males: dark slate grey everywhere, except for red feet, undertail, and face.
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. 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.
