Hobby (bird) in the context of "Eleonora's falcon"

A hobby is a fairly small, very swift falcon with long, narrow wings. There are four birds called "hobby", and some others which‍—‍‌although termed "falcon"⁠—‍‌are very similar. All specialise in being superb aerialists. Although they take prey on the ground if the opportunity presents itself, most prey is caught on the wing; insects are often caught by hawking, and many different birds are caught in flight, where even the quick-maneuvering swifts and swallows cannot escape a hobby.

The typical hobbies are traditionally considered a subgenus, Hypotriorchis, due to their similar morphology; they have ample amounts of dark slaty grey in their plumage; the malar area is black; and the underside usually has lengthwise black streaks. The tails are all-dark or have only slight bands.