Eurasian Hobby - Taxonomy and Systematics

Taxonomy and Systematics

This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 as Falco subbuteo.

Currently two subspecies are recognized:

• subbuteo – the nominate race is resident in Africa, Europe and Central and East Asia, winters in Central and South Africa and South Asia
• streichi, described by Hartert and Neumann in 1907, is smaller in size and is found further east of subbuteo's distribution range