ebirdSooty Falcon (Falco concolor) – This elegant and discreet raptor lights up the ornithological garden of the Au Bois Vert hotel: a splendid guest from the skies of Africa and Asia.
What does it look like?
The Falco concolor is a slender falcon measuring between 32 and 37 cm, with long pointed wings and a slim tail, giving it a wingspan of 78 to 90 cm. Its uniformly bluish-grey plumage, with only subtle variations, gives it a sleek and elegant appearance, with no marked contrasts, even under the wings.
Its song or cry
In flight, the Falco concolor emits a piercing call made up of rapid, sharp, high-pitched alarm notes. When hunting in groups, it produces a series of lively, repeated notes—a vocal behavior typical of North African raptors used to alert other members of the colony.
An anecdote or fun fact
The Falco concolor owes its name to its nearly uniform soot-grey plumage. Beyond that, in its wintering grounds in Madagascar, this falcon impresses with its agility: it catches insects and bats in mid-flight—and devours them without ever landing. A truly unmissable spectacle!
Where and when to see it in our garden?
You can observe it from mid-November to mid-April, especially during the bright hours of the morning. It favors the open edges of the garden, near the hotel, lodge, and restaurant, often flying over the orchards and water points on our site.
Why does he love our garden?
The Falco concolor finds everything it needs here: an abundance of prey such as small birds, dragonflies, bats, and sometimes even crabs, as if it were hunting along a riverbank. It also appreciates the open landscape around the lodge, with a mix of structured vegetation and clear spaces that provide ideal areas for flying and observing.
Tips for observing it
To have a chance of spotting this discreet raptor, it’s best to keep a respectful distance and avoid sudden movements. It is more likely to appear when activity around the restaurant and hotel is minimal.
