The Red-footed Falcon and His Grasshopper

August 13th, 2024, Birding @ Handege'er Mongolian Ethnic Township Part 2

The Red-footed Falcon is also on the bare branches with the European Roller. Even though they share territories, they live in different trees, an example of niche partitioning.

However, life is not very quiet in the Red-footed Falcon and European Roller's nurseries. In fact, black kites sometimes circled the area. Small birds feed on grasshoppers; larger birds feed on small ones- cruel but undeniable to nature. The parent birds are very sensitive to danger. As soon as the black kite shows up, the European Roller and the Red-footed Falcon rise as one and drive off the black kite. It was such a wonderful experience to see two of my new bird friends cooperating to protect their young.

After the Black Kite went away, the red-footed falcon began to enjoy the grasshopper he had caught. Mom seemed a little annoyedthat he had not brought it to the children.