Aerial diving display, with calling, by Black Falcon Falco subniger

Abstract

This note describes a variant of high-aerial agility display-flight, with calling, by a solitary Black Falcon Falco subniger. The soaring Falcon repeatedly dived and ascended, with rapid wing-beats, in an oblique figure-8 pattern, in apparent advertisement. The display was observed in the non-breeding season, in an area where no previous breeding has been recorded. The Black Falcon’s aerial displays are similar to those of the Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus, and particularly to those of the ‘great’ or ‘desert’ falcons (subgenus Hierofalco).