The Breeding Biology of the Australian Hobby Falco longipennis

Abstract

The breeding cycle of a pair of Australian Hobbies Falco longipennis was observed intensively for six consecutive seasons, from 1980 to 1986, in suburban Canberra, A.C.T. Nests were inspected on or near anticipated hatching dates and nestlings were banded. The Hobbies used vacated nests of the Australian Raven Corvus coronoides on electricity pylons, and discarded the nest lining. Incubation usually began in the first week of November and lasted an estimated 28-31 days. Nestlings fledged in January, at 35-41 days, the post-fledging period lasted ten weeks and the pair raised 12 young in six years (0-3, mean 2 young per year; modal brood size 3). Behavioural data are presented on courtship, copulation, territorial defence, parental roles in the laying, incubation, nestling and post-fledging periods, and development of the young.