RED-FOOTED FALCON
This stunning falcon visits the island occasionally on its Spring migration from South Africa to Northern Europe. They are medium-sized falcons with long wings. The adult male is a sooty grey or bluish grey with a red orange undertail and orange feet. The female has a grey back and wings, with an orange head and underparts. She also has a white band around the lower part of her head and the same red orange feet. The juveniles look very similar to a hobby, with a black moustache, barred brown or grey back and wings and heavily streaked pale underparts.
The red-footed falcons diet consists primarily of insects, especially bush crickets. They are not too fussy and will also take small lizards, amphibians, small mammals, and nesting birds and their chicks. They are kestrel like in their hunting habits and will hover, searching for food and then a swift dive to the target. While resting and recuperating on Kefalonia, they like open country with a few scattered trees, and preferably close to water. Livadi Marsh is an excellent habitat for them, and they are seen there most years. They rarely migrate on their own and can be found in pairs or small groups.
