This is a medium to large falcon with long, comparatively narrow wings, a long tail and slim body. Similar to a large Hobby or a slim, female Peregrine, except that it has a longer tail than both and longer, narrower wings than the peregrine. It has a relaxed flight with soft but forceful wing beats and is very fast in pursuit flight. A lot of time is spent gliding on flattish wings, looking out for prey over the sea.
Adult, light phase:
Plumage resembles that of a juvenile Hobby but separated by contrast between very dark underwing coverts and paler grey bases to flight feathers. The underbody is a deeper rufous- buff or rusty brown.
Adult, dark phase:
Entirely dark brownish-black but, just as light phase, shows contrast between blackish underwing-coverts and somewhat paler bases to flight feathers.
Juvenile is very similar to juvenile Hobby but distinguished by silhouette, size and paler bases to barred flight-feathers below, contrasting to dark wing-tip and wing-coverts. Rich buff below, finely streaked dark. Throat is not as white as on a hobby.
The world population of Eleonora’s Falcon is about 5,000 pairs, most of which are found in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Balearics, have some 250 pairs nesting in 24 colonies. This is the Iberian stronghold of this highly specialized falcon. Most of the colonies are on the steep cliffs of north-west Majorca on cliff-ledges or in rock crevices. Surprisingly, this falcon does not nest on Menorca, where it is a scarce visitor. In northern Lanzarote, the almost deserted sands of Famara beach are backed by rugged 700 metre cliffs where the falcons breed.
The entire population is thought to winter in Madagascar. Most leave there in March to return to their breeding cliffs in the Balearics and Canaries in late April and early May. Breeding is delayed until late summer to enable the young birds to be fed on the abundant supply of migrants that move south across the Mediterranean. Which means, these falcons remain until late October and even early November before leaving for Madagascar.
Eleonora was the Sardinian heroine, Giudicessa Eleonora d'Arborea (1350 - 1404), who fought for independence from Aragon and made laws protecting nesting birds of prey
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