Falkland's resident breeding 'Sparrowhawk' , Black Hawk'. Female is larger than the male. Length: 38 - 46 cm (15 - 18 inches)  Cassin's Falcon is much darker than northern races of this bird.

In the Falklands Cassin's Falcons are uncommon but widely distributed across the islands. They are most likely to be found near coasts where there are cliff ledges and prey such as Thin-billed Prions and petrels. They have a varied diet, geese and passerines are also taken. Prey is usually taken in flight. They nest on cliff ledges, laying up to four eggs Sbetwen late September and the end of October.

The race F. p cassini breeds on southern South America from about 28°S in Chile through the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego and Falklands to 42°S in Argentina.

Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods.

Photographic credits: Ali Marsh, Robert Maddocks

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