Birds of India - The New Synopsis

A complete checklist of bird species and subspecies found in India

Falconiformes (Falcons)

Falconidae (Falcons)

• Microhierax Sharpe, 1874 Catalogue of the birds in the British Museum 1 p.366 Falco fringillarius Drapiez, 1824; Type by original designation
  • 596. Pied Falconet Microhierax melanoleucos (Blyth, 1843) [HB#205]
    Original Description: Ierax melanoleucos Blyth, 1843 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 12 p.179 (Assam)
    Alternative Names: White-legged Falconet
    Distribution: Lowland Assam east from Manas, adjoining Arunachal, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Cachar, and Mizoram.
    Specimens: BNHS, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, USNM
    IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Moderate. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    Notes: No evidence of having occurred in Manipur or Tripura – but possibly could occur.
  
  
  • 597. Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758)
    Taxonomy: Sometimes considered monotypic.
    Alternative Names: Red-thighed Falconet, Red-breasted Falconet
    IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Moderate. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    • 597a. Microhierax caerulescens caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758) [HB#204]
      Original Description: Falco caerulescens Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.88 (Bengal)
      Distribution: Uttarakhand, N Bengal, Sikkim, C Assam till about Kaziranga, Garo hills (Meghalaya), and disjunctly in Similipal hills (Odisha).
      Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMMZ, FMNH, MCZ, ROM, YPM, BNHM
    • 597b. Microhierax caerulescens burmanicus Swann, 1920
      Original Description: Microhierax caerulescens burmanicus Swann, 1920 A synoptical list of the Accipitres (diurnal birds of prey) (etc.) pt.4 p.116
      Distribution: E Manipur hills.
      Notes: Recently photographed, and subspecies probably this, on range.
  
  
• Falco Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.88 Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758; Type by subsequent designation (A.O.U., 1886, A check list of North American birds, 2nd ed., 2nd ed., p.193)
  • 598. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818 [HB#221]
    Original Description: Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818 Sylvan, ein Jahrbuch für Forstmänner, Jäger und Jagdfreunde p.174
    Taxonomy: Includes pekinensis Swinhoe 1870 – to which the Indian non-breeding population has been previously assigned (Ri1961). There is growing evidence in recognising this subspecies (Corso et al. 2016 Dutch Birding 38 (50: 271; Obiol et al. 2025, Nature Communications 16 (3503): 1) . Occurrence of nominate form also documented from Gujarat (Bhatt & Ganpule 2025, IB 21 (6): 162). However, intermediates and pekinensis birds are the birds reported regularly.
    Distribution: Winter: Very locally in select sites near Tal Chhapar (Rajasthan), Velavadar (Gujarat), Lonavla (Maharashtra), Rollapadu (Andhra), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Munnar, (Kerala), and Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) – but throughout India during passage.
    Specimens: BNHS, UMMZ, ROM, LKO
    IUCN: Least Concern. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix I.
    Notes: Wintering birds may be a tiny fragment of the population that could not continue their migration to Africa.
  
  
  • 599. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758
    Alternative Names: Eurasian Kestrel
    IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: High. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    • 599a. Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 [HB#222]
      Original Description: Falco Tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.90
      Distribution: Breeding: Kashmir, Himachal, and Uttarakhand (?). Non-breeding: Throughout India, east till W Bengal and south till Kanyakumari including Lakashadweep Is.
      Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, ROM, USNM, YPM, HYD
    • 599b. Falco tinnunculus interstinctus McClelland, 1840 [HB#223]
      Original Description: Falco interstinctus McClelland, 1840 Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London Pt7 no.82 p.154 (Assam)
      Distribution: Winter: N Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal, Assam, and all NE hill states as well as Andaman & Nicobar Is. Sporadically in the Indian peninsula up to Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).
      Type Specimen: NHMUK#1879.11.28.258 (Syntype).
      Specimens: BNHS, NHMUK, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, YPM, BNHM
      Notes: Breeding claims within Indian limits, particularly Sikkim and E Himalaya by Stuart Baker, and followed in Naoroji (2006, Birds of the prey of the Indian Subcontinent p. 556), not considered definitive here. Andaman & Nicobar Is birds considered this subspecies purely on range.
    • 599c. Falco tinnunculus objurgatus (Baker, 1927) [HB#224]
      Original Description: Cerchneis tinnunculus objurgatus Baker, 1927 Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 47 p.106 (Ootacamund, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu)
      Distribution: W Ghats from about Mumbai till the southern tip as well as SE Ghats till Servarayan hills.
      Type Specimen: NHMUK#1885.8.19.2691 (Holotype).
      Specimens: BNHS, NHMUK, RBINS, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, USNM, YPM
  
  
  • 600. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Linnaeus, 1766
    Original Description: Falco vespertinus Linnaeus, 1766 Systema Naturæ. Editio duodecima reformata. Tomus I [part 1] 12, p.129
    Alternative Names: Red-legged Falcon
    Distribution: Vagrant. Reported only from Gilgit (Historical).
    Specimens: NHMUK
    IUCN: Vulnerable. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix I.
    Notes: Known only from one specimen (NHMUK#1897.12.10.1733).
  
  
  • 601. Amur Falcon Falco amurensis Radde, 1863 [HB#220]
    Original Description: Falco vespertinus var. amurensis Radde, 1863 Reisen im Süden von Ost-Sibirien in den Jahren 1855-1859 (etc.) (2), 2 p.102 pl.1 fig.2a,2b,2c
    Distribution: Autumn passage migrant – concentrating in NE India as well as N Bihar, W Bengal and Sikkim; W India from Gujarat till Kanyakumari. Sporadically also in C India, Deccan, and E coastal plains; vagrant to W Himalaya (Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal, and Uttarakhand). Spring migration is less intense, but across the same range.
    Specimens: UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, FTLB
    IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Moderate. WLPA: Schedule-I. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    Notes: As a late autumn migrant, their stay overlaps with peak winter in the southern peninsula and a few birds even fail to migrate.
  
  
  • 602. Merlin Falco columbarius Linnaeus, 1758
    Original Description: Falco columbarius Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.90
    IUCN: Least Concern. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    • [Falco columbarius aesalon Tunstall, 1771 ]
      Original Description: Falco Aesalon Tunstall, 1771 Ornithologia Britannica: seu avium omnium Britannicarum tam terrestrium, quam aquaticarum catalogus (etc.) p.1
      Distribution: NW India.
      Notes: See Ganpule & Bhatt (2014, IB 8 (6): 143) for a discussion on the possibility of aesalon subspecies in India.
    • 602a. Falco columbarius insignis (Clark, 1907) [HB#217]
      Original Description: Aesalon regulus insignis Clark, 1907 Proceedings of the United States National Museum 32 no.1539 p.470
      Distribution: Vagrant. Reported from Gilgit. Possibly Gujarat, Sikkim, N Bengal, and Assam.
      Specimens: NHMUK, UMMZ, BNHM
      Notes: Insufficiently documented, none recently from Gujarat. Included here based on the specimens (NHMUK#1885.8.19.2497-2498) from Gilgit (AR2001). However, more investigation necessary.
    • 602b. Falco columbarius pallidus (Sushkin, 1900) [HB#218]
      Original Description: Lithofalco aesalon pallidus Sushkin, 1900 Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 11 p.5
      Distribution: Gujarat and possibly most birds reported from Rajasthan and Delhi region. Also, Gilgit (?) and Ladakh.
      Specimens: NHMUK
      Notes: See Ganpule & Bhatt (2014, IB 8 (6): 143) for details. Ladakh range based on NHMUK#1965.M.1509. Gilgit specimen mentioned in AR2001 could not be located in NHMUK. Further investigation desirable.
  
  
  • 603. Oriental Hobby Falco severus Horsfield, 1821 [HB#214-215]
    Original Description: Falco severus Horsfield, 1821 Transactions of the Linnean Society of London (1), 13 p.135
    Taxonomy: Includes rufipedoides Hodgson 1844 with type locality restricted to Nepal by Baker 1927; supposed to be the subspecies that occurs along the Himalaya towards the western part of its range and possibly the erstwhile wintering population of SW India.
    Distribution: Sikkim and N Bengal east through Assam, adjoining Arunachal, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Cachar, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Historically, breeding west till Uttarakhand and wintering in SW India.
    Specimens: BNHS, NHMUK, UMMZ, AMNH, MCZ, USNM, TNHM, LKO
    IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Moderate. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    Notes: Recent reports from Uttarakhand and Dandeli, SW India does not change the current status there. It is, at best, only a vagrant there.
  
  
  • 604. Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758
    Alternative Names: Hobby
    IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-II. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    • 604a. Falco subbuteo subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 [HB#212-213]
      Original Description: Falco Subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 Systema Naturæ per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata 1 p.89
      Taxonomy: Includes here centralasiae Butulin 1911, which was once considered the breeding form in the Himalaya (AR2001).
      Distribution: Breeding: W Himalaya – Gilgit, Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, and Uttarakhand. Non-breeding: Throughout India including Assam, Arunachal, and all NE hill states at least during migration – sporadic in E coastal plains and S India.
      Specimens: BNHS, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, YPM, TNHM
  
  
  • 605. Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera Daudin, 1800
    Alternative Names: Red-headed Merlin/Red-headed Falcon (with F. [c.]. ruficollis EL)
    IUCN: Near Threatened. SoIB: Moderate. WLPA: Schedule-I. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix II.
    • 605a. Falco chicquera chicquera Daudin, 1800 [HB#219]
      Original Description: Falco chicquera Daudin, 1800 Traité élémentaire et complet d'ornithologie 2 p.121 (Bengal)
      Distribution: Throughout India from the Himalayan foothills of Jammu, south till Kanyakumari except SW India where it is a straggler; east through Brahmaputra plains in Assam and adjoining Arunachal. Historically at least in Cachar and Manipur.
      Specimens: ZSI, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, ROM, YPM, FTLB
  
  
  • 606. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771
    Original Description: Falco Peregrinus Tunstall, 1771 Ornithologia Britannica: seu avium omnium Britannicarum tam terrestrium, quam aquaticarum catalogus (etc.) p.1
    Alternative Names: Shaheen/Shaheen Falcon F. p. peregrinator; [Barbary Falcon]
    IUCN: Least Concern. SoIB: Low. WLPA: Schedule-I. CITES: Appendix I. CMS: Appendix II.
    • 606a. Falco peregrinus calidus Latham, 1790 [HB#209]
      Original Description: Falco calidus Latham, 1790 Index ornithologicus, sive systema ornithologiæ; complectens avium divisionem in classes, ordines, genera, species, ipsarumque varietates: adjectis synonymis, locis, descriptionibus, &c. 1 p.4 (India)
      Taxonomy: Formerly, the wintering form was considered as japonensis (see Ripley 1982, A Synopsis of the Birds of India and Pakistan); but now all authorities consider it as this subspecies.
      Distribution: Winter: Throughout India including Andaman Is.
      Specimens: BNHS, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, YPM, TNHM, BNHM
    • 606b. Falco peregrinus peregrinator Sundevall, 1837 [HB#211]
      Original Description: Falco peregrinator Sundevall, 1837 Physiographiska Sällskapets Tidskrift 1 p.76
      Taxonomy: RA2012 suggests that the northern and southern populations of this subspecies are disjunct and may be separated as two independent subspecies. More work required but certainly the Himalayan breeding population appear to be disjunct.
      Distribution: W Himalaya from Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, and Uttarakhand; C Indian highlands and west till Mt. Abu, NE Ghats; W Ghats from Surat Dangs till S Tamil Nadu, SE Ghats as well as hillocks in the Deccan; sporadic in NE (e.g., Garo hills, W Arunachal).
      Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, TNHM
      Notes: Locally migratory, for e.g. in N India as well as SE coast but details not worked out.
    • [Falco peregrinus ernesti Sharpe, 1894 ]
      Original Description: Falco ernesti Sharpe, 1894 Ibis p.545
      Distribution: NE India.
      Notes: A possible intergrade with Shaheen reported from Mishmi hills – identification not conclusive.
    • 606c. Falco peregrinus babylonicus Sclater, 1861 [HB#210]
      Original Description: Falco babylonicus Sclater, 1861 Ibis p.218 pl.7 (Oudh)
      Taxonomy: When F. pelegrinoides is recognised as a species (RA2012), babylonicus is listed as its subspecies.
      Distribution: Winter: Kachchh, Rajasthan and sporadically elsewhere in peninsular India – from a region bounded by Kashmir and Ladakh in the north, Bankura (Bengal) in the east, and Belagavi (NW Karnataka) in the south.
      Type Specimen: NHMUK#1955.6.N.20.1934 (Syntype).
      Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, NHMUK, UMMZ, FMNH
      Notes: See Bhatt & Ganpule (2017, IB 13 (4): 86).
    • [Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides Temminck, 1829 ]
      Original Description: Falco pelegrinoides Temminck, 1829 Nouveau recueil de planches coloriées d'oiseaux, pour servir de suite et de complément aux planches enluminées de Buffon livr.81 pl.479
      Taxonomy: Wink (2000), Fuchs et al. (2015, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 82 (A): 180) found support for treating pelegrinoides as a separate species but also see Wink et al. (2010), White et al. (2013, Auk 130 (1): 83).
      Distribution: Gujarat and NW India.
      Notes: Bhatt & Ganpule (2017, IB 13 (4): 91) concluded there are no definitive reports of pelegrinoides though some birds nearing its plumage have occurred.
  
  
  • 607. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Gray, 1834 [HB#208]
    Original Description: Falco Jugger Gray, 1834 Illustrations of Indian zoology; chiefly selected from the collection of Major-General Hardwicke, F. R. S. 2 pt13-14 pl.26 (India)
    Distribution: Historically, throughout India till W Assam but presently restricted to NW India of Rajasthan and Gujarat; Uttarakhand and intervening areas in N India, W Maharashtra till NW Karnataka, Deccan regions of E Karnataka and W Telangana, and sparingly further south and east.
    Specimens: BNHS, ZSI, UMZC, UMMZ, AMNH, FMNH, MCZ, ROM, USNM, YPM, TNHM, LKO
    IUCN: Near Threatened. SoIB: Moderate. WLPA: Schedule-I. CITES: Appendix I. CMS: Appendix II.
  
  
  • 608. Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Gray, 1834
    IUCN: Endangered. SoIB: High. WLPA: Schedule-I. CITES: Appendix II. CMS: Appendix I.
    • 608a. Falco cherrug cherrug Gray, 1834 [HB#206]
      Original Description: Falco cherrug Gray, 1834 Illustrations of Indian zoology; chiefly selected from the collection of Major-General Hardwicke, F. R. S. 2 pt15-16 pl.25 (India)
      Distribution: Winter: W Rajasthan and W India.
      Specimens: BNHS
    • 608b. Falco cherrug milvipes Jerdon, 1871 [HB#207]
      Original Description: Falco milvipes Jerdon, 1871 Ibis p.240 (Ambala, Haryana,)
      Taxonomy: Wink et al. 1998 suggested species status for the eastern group of Saker known as 'Shanghar Falcon'.
      Distribution: Ladakh (also breeding) – sporadically to N Sikkim and N Bengal.
      Type Specimen: NHMUK#1887.11.1.727 (Holotype).
      Specimens: BNHS, NHMUK
      Notes: N Sikkim and N Bengal could be hendersoni Hume, 1871 as well – but belong to the eastern Saker group.