Australian Falcons: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation

by Stephen Debus

Overview

Falcons are stunning and iconic birds. Australia has six falcon species, with two endemic to the continent and two others endemic to the Australasian region. They are important indicators of the health of our ecosystems, due to their position at the top of the food chain. But several species are declining, with two species threatened in some states.

In Australian Falcons: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation, Dr. Stephen Debus provides a 30-year update of knowledge on these six species, as well as a falcon-like hawk, the Black-shouldered Kite. This book is based partly on the author’s field studies, as well as being a supplement to the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds (HANZAB) and recent global treatises. It offers up-to-date information on the Australian species, including their behaviors, ecology, and biology. It reviews their population status and threats, and suggests what needs to be done to ensure the future of these spectacular birds.

Australian Falcons is an invaluable resource for raptor biologists, birdwatchers, wildlife rescuers and carers, raptor rehabilitators and zookeepers.

Features:

• Provides up-to-date information on the biology, ecology, behavior, conservation and management of the six falcon species, and one falcon-like hawk.
• Reviews the population status and threats of the Australian falcons.
• First comprehensive book on Australian falcons since the 1993 publication of HANZAB Volume 2.
• Features striking color photos by photographer David Whelan.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781486315765
Publisher:	CSIRO Publishing
Publication date:	11/10/2022
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Stephen Debus has studied Australia’s raptors, including falcons, for over 40 years. He is an honorary research associate in zoology at the University of New England. He is the author of Australasian Eagles and Eagle-like Birds, Australian Birds of Prey in Flight, Birds of Prey of Australia, and was awarded BirdLife Australia’s D.L. Serventy Medal for ornithological publication.

Table of Contents

Foreword v

Preface viii

Photographer's acknowledgements xiii

Introduction xvi

Old World kestrels: Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides 1

Old Australian endemic: Brown Falcon Falco berigora 20

Hobbies: Australian Hobby Falco longipennis 42

Hierofalcon/peregrine cluster: Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos 61

Hierofalcons: Black Falcon Falco subniger 88

Peregrines: Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 111

The falcon breeding cycle 138

A falcon-like hawk: Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris 147

Epilogue 167

Bibliography 175

Other sources of information 204

Index 206