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6

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) Alternate name(s): "Brown Hawk", "Cackling Hawk" Aboriginal name(s): Race "berigora": "kargyne", "dondorn" (WA); "kirkinpa" Size: 40-50 cm; wing span 0.9-1.2 m Weight: 320-590 g (male), 430-850 g (female)

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Brown Falcons are relatively small raptors. They are the largest of the Australian falcons. The plumage of Brown Falcons comes in three morphologies, light-brown, dark-brown and rufous. Depending on morphology, the colour of the front can vary in colour, being either very pale brown, rufous or dark brown. Irrespective of morphology, the cap is dark-brown, as is the back (mantle, upperwings, tail). The upper legs are covered by dark-brown feathers. The face has a clear "tear drop" pattern, with a dark-brown eye patch that has a second tip just below the eye. The beak is grey, the irises are dark, while the legs and feet are yellowish-grey. Females are much larger than males. Twitcher's tip Compared to Black Falcons, Brown Falcons have less pointy wingtips, with a less pronounced bend at the alula. In general, Brown Falcons are more massive than Black Falcons.

Taxonomy, classification See Brown Falcon at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Brown Falcon is available HERE . The range of the Brown Falcon encompasses Australia and parts of New Guinea. Brown Falcons inhabit the entire Australian continent, including Tasmania. Staying in the south-eastern quarter of the continent or the south-west of WA during their breeding season, outside the breeding season they venture into the rest of the continent, including, in suitable conditions, the most arid parts of the interior. Brown Falcons hunt in various types of habitat, from open forest to semi-arid and arid environments. They are not found in dense forest, such as rainforest. Where to look? How to find this species? Brown Falcons like perching high up in deed trees, in exposed positions, from where they keep an eye on the open surrounding landscape. If you see an (either light or dark) all-brown raptor sitting in an upright stance for a long time (unless disturbed...), you are most likely watching a Brown Falcon. Brown Falcons are the tallest falcons in Australia and they are common, both of which make them stand out.

Sightings Click here for sighting information In some years, Brown Falcons are one of the most common species of raptor throughout Australia. Specimens of dark-brown morphology Brown Falcons were first identified by us near Narrabri, NSW, in September/October 2006. Subsequently, many Brown Falcons were found by us over the years, in various locations in north-western NSW. However, there are years when their population is greatly reduced in inland NSW (e.g. the 2014/15 breeding season). So far, we have seen mostly light-brown and dark-brown Brown Falcons, with only a single rufous morphology Brown Falcon found yet. M. Mearns spotted a particularly pale light-brown morphology Brown Falcon at Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, far north-western QLD, in July 2007 and a particularly dark Brown Falcon at Currawinya NP, near Hungerford, QLD, in October 2012. More Brown Falcons were found in various locations in far-western and north-western QLD in August/September 2019. An immature bird of the light morphology was spotted by us by a road side 50 km North of Hawker, SA, in March 2008. Another of the kind was seen in Byfield NP, QLD, in July 2009. R. Plumtree reports finding Brown Falcons nesting near the Watts Creek Road, Ensay North, East Gippsland, VIC, in November 2013. A Brown Falcon was seen again in the same area in February 2015 and another in July 2020. J. Greaves reports spotting a Brown Falcon at the Granites Gold Mine, NT, in August 2015. C. Pears found a Brown Falcon at Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), NT, in July 2016. Brown Falcons were also found in inland WA, in various locations around Morawa, in September 2022. M. Eaton reports spotting a Brown Falcon near Stanthorpe, QLD, in June 2017, and in Goondiwindi, QLD, in March 2018. They were also found 50 km NW of Mount Isa, QLD, in June 2021. P. Brown finds Brown Falcons occasionally in Darwin and elsewhere in the Top End of the NT. In June 2022, M. Eaton found a Brown Falcon at Roxby Downs, SA, and at various points along the Strzelecki Track, SA. In October 2022 another Brown Falcon was found at Marla, SA.

Photos

Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here .

Light brown morphology

ADULT

PAIR

Frontal/lateral view of a pair of Brown Falcons, male in front (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Barkley Highway, 50 km NW of Mount Isa, QLD, June 2021]

Lateral view of a pair of Brown Falcons, male in front (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Barkley Highway, 50 km NW of Mount Isa, QLD, June 2021]

MALE

The light-brown morphology birds shown here are likely all males.

Close-up frontal view of a male(?) Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Marla, SA, October 2022]

Frontal/ventral view of a very pale male, Brown Falcon; note the yellow orbital skin indicating that this is an old male
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, far north-western QLD, July 2007]

Near-frontal view of a male Brown Falcon; the accompanying female (not shown here) was of dark-brown morphology, a combination which has been observed by us many times (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Goondiwindi, QLD, March 2018]

Close-up near-lateral view of a male(?) Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Marla, SA, October 2022]

Close-up near-lateral view of an old male Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Strzelecki Track, ca. 140 km N of Lyndhurst, SA, June 2022]

Near-lateral view of a male(?) Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bunya Mountains NP, QLD, March 2018]

Close-up near-lateral view of a male(?) Brown Falcon looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Marla, SA, October 2022]

Lateral view of a light-morphology male Brown Falcon
[Near Terry Hie Hie, NSW, June 2013]

Lateral view of a male Brown Falcon
[Goran Lake, NSW, August 2011]

Close-up lateral view of an old male Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Strzelecki Track, ca. 140 km N of Lyndhurst, SA, June 2022]

Lateral/ventral view of a light-morphology male Brown Falcon shortly after takeoff
[Near Terry Hie Hie, NSW, June 2013]

Sex unknown

Frontal portrait of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, July 2020]

Near-lateral view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Birdsville, QLD, July 2021]

Near-lateral view of a Brown Falcon on the ground (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Keep River NP, NT, November 2018]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Near Narrabri, NSW, January 2021]

Close-up near-lateral/ventral view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Arnhem Highway near Mount Bundey, NT, October 2020]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a light-morphology Brown Falcon
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2021]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Birdsville, QLD, July 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Birdsville, QLD, July 2021]

Lateral/ventral view of a Brown Falcon hovering above its prey (click on image to see a slightly different posture)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2008]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-lateral view of an immature Brown Falcon
[Near Hawker, SA, March 2008]

Lateral view of the same Brown Falcon as shown above in flight
[Goran Lake, NSW, April 2013]

Dorsal view of the same Brown Falcon as shown above, taking off from a picket (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Goran Lake, NSW, August 2011]

Dark-brown morphology

ADULT

PAIR

Lateral view of a pair of Brown Falcons; male on the right, female on the left
[Near Boggabri, NSW, May 2009]

Pair of Brown Falcons in rainy weather, female on the left and the male on the right ; note the difference in both morphology and size/strength
[Goran Lake, NSW, February 2013]

FEMALE

The dark-brown morphology birds shown here are likely all females.

Frontal view of an adult Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bedourie, QLD, August 2022]

Frontal/ventral view of an adult Brown Falcon watching the observer (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, August 2018]

Near-frontal view of an adult Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Currawinya NP, QLD, October 2012]

Near-frontal view of a Brown Falcon
[Near Manilla, NSW, July 2010]

Near-frontal view of a particularly dark Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Harparary, NSW, May 2013]

Near-lateral view of a Brown Falcon
[Near Maules Creek, NSW, March 2009]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a female Brown Falcon
[Near Boggabri, NSW, May 2009]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Roxby Downs, SA, June 2022]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon on a stinking hot day (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Nackeroo Lookout Road, Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Currawinya NP, QLD, October 2012]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon, now with its head turned (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Currawinya NP, QLD, October 2012]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Lateral view of a particularly dark adult Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, March 2019]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon with the rufous tint usually observed in birds of the arid Outback (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, August 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of a Brown Falcon
[Near Maules Creek, NSW, March 2009]

Lateral/ventral view of a Brown Falcon

Near-dorsal view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Durikai SF, near Warwick, QLD, November 2017]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Brown Falcon

Dorsal view of a Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Near Moree, NSW, April 2014]

Frontal view of a Brown Falcon in flight
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2012]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon taking off from a dead treetop
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, April 2006]

Lateral view of a Brown Falcon in flight keeping an eye on the observer
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2012]

Near-dorsal view of a Brown Falcon in flight (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, July 2019]

Dorsal view of a dark Brown Falcon in flight (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Harparary, NSW, May 2013]

Ventral view of a dark Brown Falcon in flight
[Narrabri, NSW, February 2023]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a dark-brown juvenile Brown Falcon; note the patchy appearance (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, March 2019]

Frontal view of a dark-brown juvenile Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, March 2019]

Rufous morphology

ADULT

MALE

Near-lateral view of a rufous morphology male(?) Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, August 2018]

Lateral view of a rufous morphology male(?) Brown Falcon (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, August 2018]

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a rufous morphology Brown Falcon
[Near Burren Junction, NSW, June 2011]

Direct comparison between a Brown Falcon in flight, lower left, and a Brown Goshawk (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Tumbling Waters, near Darwin, NT, August 2020]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

This one almost got away... immature Brown Falcon close-up
[Near Walgett, NSW, October 2010]

The same immature Brown Falcon as shown above, here seen flying away
[Near Walgett, NSW, October 2010]

Frontal view of an immature Brown Falcon in flight (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Nov

Eggs: 2 - 3

Incubation period: 31 - 35 days

Fledging age: ca. 30 days

The breeding season of Brown Falcons depends on geographical latitude. In the South of the continent, they breed in the local spring, whereas in the tropical North they nest during the local dry season (ca. April-September).

Twitcher's tip

Note that, by the time they fledge (i.e., leave their nest), the young of all species of raptors - apart from the tail and wing feathers (which are still growing) - are already full adult-size.

For species of raptors with a pronounced size dimorphism between the sexes (the female is always bigger than the male), the obvious consequence is that a female near-fledging age chick already dwarfs not only any male siblings, but also its father.

Nest building: ?

Incubation: Female

Dependent care: Female/male

The male feeds the female on the nest during the incubation period.

This male(?) Brown Falcon was seen displaying to its partner and bringing food in preparation for mating/nesting
(photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Near Pilliga, NSW, July 2020]

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket (re-used)

Material: Sticks, lined with green leaves

Height above ground: >10 m

Brown Falcons do not build their own nests, but re-use nests of other raptors, corvids, Australian Magpies or similar.

Brown Falcon nest with 3 chicks in it, one of which is much smaller and weaker than its siblings (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Victoria River, near the Roadhouse, NT, September 2020]

Brown Falcon chick in what looks like a re-used corvids' nest (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)

View from below of a Brown Falcon nest, likely a re-used corvids' nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Birdsville Track, SA, September 2022]

One of the owners of the Brown Falcon nest shown above (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Birdsville Track, SA, September 2022]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 49 x 38 mm

Colour: Creamy, with reddish and dark-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

3 eggs inside a Brown Falcon nest; note the different colours (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Birdsville Track, SA, September 2022]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary

Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

Brown Falcons are the first bird species to re-enter bushland after a bushfire, looking for prey that has been killed by the fire. In more open country, this role falls to Black Kites.

To our surprise we found a female Brown Falcon scavenging on a kangaroo carcass in June 2013.

Frontal view of a Brown Falcon on a levee bank; it and its partner used the disturbance created by a combine harvester to pick locusts out of the air
[Near Bellata, NSW, October 2013]

We have also observed Brown Falcons in nuptial flight, which is a form of bonding ritual. While there are no photos of such an occasion, we did manage to record the calls of pairs in nuptial flight (below).

Food, Diet

Adults: Small rodents, lizards, snakes, birds

Dependents: As adults

Water intake: None

All raptors are carnivores. Brown Falcons prey on small mammals, lizards, snakes and ground birds, which are taken on the ground.

During the first few weeks, raptors feed their chicks with pieces of meat. Later on in their development, the chicks learn to tear apart their parents' prey.

Light-brown morphology Brown Falcon plucking its prey, a nestling (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Goorrandalng Campground, Keep River NP, NT, September 2020]

Light-brown morphology Brown Falcon plucking its prey, a nestling (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Goorrandalng Campground, Keep River NP, NT, September 2020]

Light-brown morphology Brown Falcon plucking its prey, a nestling (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Goorrandalng Campground, Keep River NP, NT, September 2020]

Dark-brown morphology Brown Falcon plucking its prey, a mouse
[Near Manilla, NSW, July 2017]

Light-brown morphology Brown Falcon with a mouse it has just caught (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, June 2016]

This dark-morphology Brown Falcon was seen by us carrying away its prey...
[Near Walgett, NSW, April 2012]

... and nibbling on it in-flight
[Near Walgett, NSW, April 2012]

Dark-brown morphology Brown Falcon hanging on to the side of a tree trunk; its intentions become clear in the next photo
[Near Uralla, NSW, October 2018]

Dark-brown morphology Brown Falcon hoping for an opportunistic kill, waiting for a fledgling to appear at the nest entrance
[Near Uralla, NSW, October 2018]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

brfalc_20210421.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls(?); in-flight	© MD
brfalc_20190820.m4a	(SE QLD)	Interacting; 3rd bird chasing pair in nuptial flight	© MD
brfalc_20220316.m4a	(NW NSW)	Interacting; 3rd bird chasing pair in nuptial flight	© MD
brfalc_20210523.m4a	(NW NSW)	Distress calls (female; Australian Magpie attacks)	© MD
brfalc_20230408.mp3	(NW NSW)	? (female)	© MD

More Brown Falcon sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Mon, 10 April 2023, 20:51 +00:00