Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteo
The Eurasian hobby, or just hobby, is a small, slim falcon. It belongs to a group of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Falco.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_hobby
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Falconiformes
Family
Falconidae
Genus
Falco
Eurasian Hobby belongs to the family Falconidae, order Falconiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The Eurasian hobby, or just hobby, is a small, slim falcon. It belongs to a group of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Falco.
The Eurasian Hobby faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urbanization, which eliminates the open woodlands and parklands essential for breeding. Pesticide contamination significantly reduces prey availability and causes reproductive failures, while climate change disrupts migration patterns and breeding cycles. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Open woodlands, forest edges, parklands, and agricultural areas with scattered trees, typically near wetlands or water bodies that support abundant flying insects. Breeds in old crow or magpie nests in tall trees, requiring a mosaic of wooded and open habitats for hunting aerial prey.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Eurasian Hobby faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urbanization, which eliminates the open woodlands and parklands essential for breeding. Pesticide contamination significantly reduces prey availability and causes reproductive failures, while climate change disrupts migration patterns and breeding cycles. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority.
Climate change disrupting migration timing
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Pesticide contamination reducing prey populations
Reduction in large flying insect prey
Urban development destroying nesting sites
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/eurasian-hobby