Barbary falcon

The Barbary falcon (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides) is a non-migratory subspecies of the peregrine falcon found from the Canary Islands eastwards across some parts of North Africa to the Middle East. It was formerly often treated as a distinct species Falco pelegrinoides; when so treated, it also included the central Asian peregrine falcon subspecies Falco peregrinus babylonicus as a subspecies (Falco pelegrinoides babylonicus).

The Barbary falcon is a bird of semi-desert and dry open hills. It typically lays its eggs in cliff-ledge nests.

It is similar to other subspecies of the peregrine falcon, but smaller at 33–39 cm (13–15 in) length with a wingspan of 76–98 cm (30–39 in). It has characteristic plumage, and adults can be recognised from peregrines. Some regard it as a distinct species since it is specialised to a desert environment. Recently, it has been found to be genetically similar to other subspecies of the peregrine falcon, so it is now considered a subspecies of that.

The female is larger than the male. It resembles its relative in general structure. Female Barbary falcons are as large as male peregrine falcons.

Adults have paler grey-blue upperparts than the peregrine falcon and often have a buff wash to the barred underparts, whereas the larger species has a whiter background colour. The nape is rufous, but this is difficult to see.

Sexes are similar, apart from size, but the young birds have brown upperparts and streaked underparts. The streaking is lighter than in the juvenile peregrine falcon.

The call is a high-pitched "rek-rek-rek".

The Barbary falcon also bears some resemblance to the lanner falcon, but can be distinguished from that species at rest by its size and in the head-pattern, flight, flight action and underwing pattern.