Central Australia BirdsCentral Australia Birds — Index Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis) Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis)

The Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis) are found throughout mainland Australia, including some of our offshore islands. They are found in open habitats, including open woodland, water courses and vegetated urban regions. The Australian Hobby pictured here are in Central Australia.

Part of the raptor bird of prey group, the Australian Hobby are a very fast raptor, that feed on bats, small birds and flying insects. They can often be seen perched in the top of trees, surveying the surrounding, before swooping down on their prey.

Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Owen Springs Reserve NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Owen Springs Reserve NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Santa Teresa, NT

There are three recognised subspecies of the Australian hobbys: Falco longipennis longipennis, Falco longipennis hanieli and Falco longipennis murchisonianus.

Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Free-flying Birds Show, Alice Springs Desert Park
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Alice Springs Desert Park NT

For more info check out our Birds > Raptors > Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Falconiformes
  • Family: Falconidae
  • Genus: Falco
  • Species: Falco longipennis

Central Australia BirdsCentral Australia Birds — Index Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis) Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis)

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