The red-footed falcon is an interesting bird of prey. It is a scarce spring migrant but rare in autumn; the difference in numbers is due to its unusual migratory pattern.

The red-footed falcon is an eastern species with a stronghold in Asia and a few tens of thousands breeding in the eastern parts of Europe, especially in Hungary.

In autumn they migrate to southern Africa, flying south across the eastern Mediterranean. In spring they fly back to their breeding grounds using a more westerly route. They often fly over Italy and then change direction veering towards their breeding grounds in the east.

Rarely, red-footed falcons migrate north along an even more westerly route. When this happens, larger numbers can be seen migrating through Western Europe. During such phenomena, this species can be seen in large numbers even in the Maltese islands.

The diet of red-footed falcons consists of large insects, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and birds.

When hunting they perch on electricity wires or hover like a kestrel observing the ground closely for any prey.

This year something is taking place that has not been seen before in Malta. For the past three weeks, several red-footed falcons have stayed here. Birdwatchers have been observing these birds as they hunt in the countryside. In the evenings they congregate in certain areas to roost and up to 40 birds have been counted together.

In Malta, they are probably feeding mainly on grasshoppers which they pick up from the ground in recently harvested fields.

These birds are very tame and they are probably staying in the Maltese islands because for the first time there are no hunters roaming the countryside outside the hunting season. It seems that hefty fines and long prison sentences are being effective.

Red-footed falcon populations are in decline; only between 700 and 800 pairs are left in Hungary. No stone should be left unturned to ensure that when these falcons visit the Maltese islands they are given total protection.

portelli.paul@gmail.com