Description:
Close views of the Eurasian Hobby enable the red "trousers" and vent to be seen.
Sexes are similar.
In flight the Eurasian Hobby appears sickle-like with its long pointed wings and square tail, often resembling a swift when gliding with folded wings.
It will take large insects, such as dragonflies, which it transfers from talons to beak and eats while soaring slowly in circles.
Its speed and aerobatic skills enable it to take swallows and even swifts on the wing.
1st photo: Bovenmeent, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 23 August 2012
2nd, 3rd & 4th photo: Our local Bird Club banding team put a band on this little guy which is approximately 24 days old. Baarn, The Netherlands, 29 July 2010
5th photo: Utrecht, The Netherlands, 19 June 2019