Courtship of Red-necked Falcons, Tal Chhapar



Abhishek Gulshan

Chosen as 'Picture of the Week'

The Red-necked Falcon (Falco chicquera) is a widespread resident in India and adjacent regions, as well as sub-Saharan Africa. This photo is from the Tal Chhapar Blackbuck Sanctuary in Churu district, Rajasthan

The Red-necked Falcon (Falco chicquera) is a widespread resident in India and adjacent regions as well as sub-Saharan Africa.

Once mating of this bird commences, the female suspends or minimises hunting and the male hunts and provides her with food, mainly birds. Here, a male brings a kill to the female. The female then starts de-feathering the dove. It is ironic that in doing so, the female doesn’t let the male come close to the prey. We see a lot of persistence and begging from the male; however whats interesting is how the female then feeds the male herself. Females usually take a greater share out of the prey.

A memory from Tal Chhapar Blackbuck Sanctuary in Churu district, Rajasthan in November 2012.

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