The Consorci de Recuperació de Fauna Silvestre de les Illes Balears (COFIB) has this week released a sea falcon (Falco eleonorae) in the Parc natural de sa Dragonera, from where it had been rescued.

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The specimen was found in the sea by a park worker, from where it was unable to fly away. After notifying COFIB and checking that its state of health was favourable, it was returned to its habitat. The release was carried out close to the population present in sa Dragonera as soon as it was released so as not to interfere with the breeding season.

The Parc Natural de sa Dragonera is home to one of the most important populations of seagulls in the Balearic Islands. In the archipelago, however, it has a temporary presence, as it arrives in spring from Madagascar to breed on the cliffs and inaccessible places along the coast and leaves during the post-nuptial migration in autumn. Between 2001 and 2019, an average of 194 seahawks per year were counted in the Park.

Meanwhile, it feeds on small passerines that migrate from Europe to Africa, taking advantage of their passage through the island. Its morphology is characterised by very long wing and tail feathers to facilitate hunting manoeuvres during flight.

The sea falcon is a protected species under a special protection regime. The COFIB reminds us of the importance of notifying the rescue centre in the event of finding this or any other endangered species.