Abstract
In the Czech Republic, the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) reaches the northwestern limits of its distribution range in Europe and ranks among rare breeders there. In this study, we analysed the available data on breeding of the species in the territory of the present Czech Republic. In the years 1907–2023, breeding of 20 pairs was confirmed and 12 other possible breeding events were registered. The highest breeding abundance within one year was recorded in 2023 when three occupied nests were found and three other breeding attempts were possible. At present, the Red-footed Falcon breeds in intensively used farmland areas of the country, in lines of trees and small groves between fields (0.3–1 ha), at the altitude of 172–633 m a.s.l. (median 220 m a.s.l.). Two small colonies (4 pairs and 2 pairs, respectively) were recorded, the other were solitary nesting events. All known breeding events occurred in the nests of other bird species, breeding in a nest box was not recorded. The Red-footed Falcon used nests of the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica; 7 cases), Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix; 3 cases) and Western Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula; 2 cases), situated 4-20 m above ground (median 7 m). The nests were placed on poplar (Populus sp.; 5 cases), birch (Betula sp.; 3 cases), spruce (Picea sp.; 2 cases), moreover on maple (Acer sp.), willow (Salix sp.), fir (Abies sp.) and larch (Larix sp.), one case each. A clutch with four eggs was recorded twice, fledging of four nestlings in five cases and five nestlings in one case. Methods of conservation and measures to support breeding of the species in the Czech Republic are also discussed in the paper.