Black Falcon
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Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae

[Photo] BLACK FALCON Falco subniger, just West of Goolgowi NSW. Source: Flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/50364443@N00/453934859/). Date: April 6, 2007. Author: beeater (www.flickr.com/photos/50364443@N00/).

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 55cm from beak to tail, the smaller males being only 45cm. 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.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Falcon

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