The Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera eats mostly small to medium-sized birds, usually less than 300 g in weight. It also preys on small mammals (like bats and rodents) as well as insects (grasshoppers, beetles and termites). It is thus not surprising that this falcon frequently preys on weavers. Five weaver species (from several different genera) have been recorded as prey: Scaly-feathered Finch, Sociable Weaver, Red-billed Quelea, Fan-tailed Widowbird, and Village Weaver. The weaver most often recorded as prey is the abundant Red-billed Quelea. In India, the Baya Weaver is suspected to be prey of this falcon.
Red-collared Widow
Recently a Red-necked Falcon was photographed by Roger MacDonald carrying a male Red-collared Widow, a new prey species record. The falcon was seen at Marlborough in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sunday 2 February 2020, which was an unusual record for the area.
© Roger MacDonald, photo hosted at rarebirdnews.
