Black Falcon

Taxobox
name = Black Falcon
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Falconiformes
familia = Falconidae
genus = "Falco"
species = "F. subniger"
binomial = "Falco subniger"
binomial_authority = Gray, 1843

The Black Falcon ("Falco subniger") is a medium-large falcon that lives only in Australia. It is mainly found in open grasslands and woodlands in the north of Australia. It is fast flying for its size with tapering, pointed wings.

The females are usually around convert|55|cm|in|abbr=on from beak to tail, the smaller males being only convert|45|cm|in|abbr=on. The sexes are very similar apart from their size.

Its relationships are enigmatic, like with many falcons. It might be an early offshoot of the Old World hierofalcons such as the Saker Falcon. (Wink "et al." 2004)

The Black Falcon's prey is mainly birds which it often takes on the wing. It also eats ground-dwelling animals such as lizards, quail or rabbits.

References

*|year=2004|id=49512|title=Falco subniger|downloaded=12 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern.
* (2004): Phylogenetic relationships in the Hierofalco complex (Saker-, Gyr-, Lanner-, Laggar Falcon). "In:" aut|Chancellor, R.D. & Meyburg, B.-U. (eds.): "Raptors Worldwide": 499-504. WWGBP, Berlin. [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/2004/27.2004.pdf PDF fulltext]