Facts about Eurasian Hobby

1. 08

   Migratory populations of Eurasian Hobbies travel approximately 10,000 kilometers annually between their European and Asian breeding grounds and African wintering territories.

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2. 07

   Hunting success rates for Eurasian Hobbies can reach approximately 50 percent when pursuing dragonflies, making them among the most efficient aerial insectivores in temperate regions.

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3. 06

   Three to four eggs typically comprise a clutch for Eurasian Hobbies, with an incubation period lasting approximately 28 days before chicks hatch in mid-summer.

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4. 05

   During breeding season, Eurasian Hobbies construct no nest of their own, instead commandeering abandoned nests built by corvids or other large birds in tall trees.

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5. 04

   Eurasian Hobbies possess distinctive slate-blue upperparts and rufous underparts with heavy barring, making them visually distinct from larger falcon species across their Eurasian range.

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6. 03

   Adult Eurasian Hobbies weigh between 130 and 280 grams, with females typically 40 percent heavier than males, reflecting sexual size dimorphism common in raptors.

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7. 02

   The Eurasian Hobby breeds across Europe and Asia, migrating to sub-Saharan Africa each winter to exploit the seasonal abundance of dragonflies and small insects.

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8. 01

   Speeds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour enable the Eurasian Hobby to pursue and capture small birds mid-flight with remarkable precision.

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