Sooty falcon

The sooty falcon is a sleek, medium-sized bird of prey that breeds from northeastern Africa to the southern Persian Gulf. This falcon is part of the hobby group and is closely related to Eleonora's falcon, though they are not sister species.

This elegant falcon measures about 32–37 cm in length with a wingspan ranging from 78–90 cm. You can find them breeding on islands, as well as on coastal or desert cliffs, spanning from Libya to Pakistan. When winter arrives, they migrate to regions such as East Africa, Madagascar, and northeastern South Africa.

Sooty falcons primarily prey on birds, though they also feed on large insects like dragonflies. They nest on ledges or rocks, typically laying up to four eggs in mid-summer. Sometimes, they even nest in colonies.

In terms of conservation, the sooty falcon was once listed as Least Concern. However, it is now classified as Vulnerable because they are rarer than previously believed. The breeding population in northern Oman is particularly declining, and human disturbances are likely a significant factor in this decrease.