Using Social Media to Map Peregrine and Lanner Falcons in South Africa
Study finds citizen science posts provide valuable insights into falcon distribution, diet and behaviour in South Africa
Citizen science goes digital in South Africa
Researchers in South Africa have shown that social media platforms such as Facebook, iNaturalist and eBird can provide a wealth of information on raptors that are otherwise difficult to study. By analysing over 5,000 images from more than 2,700 posts up to August 2024, the team were able to document the distribution, behaviour and prey of Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus and Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus across all nine provinces of South Africa.
Both species were widely reported, though Lanner Falcons generated more posts overall. The Western Cape was the strongest province for Peregrines, while the Northern Cape led for Lanners. The findings highlight how online birding communities are filling knowledge gaps in African raptor research.
Rise in reporting after 2017
Observations for both falcons increased markedly after 2017, with a further surge following the COVID-19 pandemic as more people engaged in local birding and online sharing. For Peregrines, three-quarters of all records came after 2018. Lanners showed a similar trend, with 75% of observations posted between 2017 and 2024.
This rise demonstrates both the growing popularity of birding and the expanding role of citizen science. Researchers say that integrating these digital records with structured surveys will improve long-term monitoring and conservation strategies.
Behaviour and diet revealed
The images analysed went beyond simple records of presence. They captured resting, hunting, interactions with other species, and prey handling. Peregrine Falcons were most often shown resting or in flight, but nearly 18% of images depicted prey capture, overwhelmingly of other birds.
Lanner Falcons showed a broader diet, with birds again dominant but insects, reptiles and small mammals also represented. In terms of interactions, both species were frequently recorded in positive social behaviour such as courtship, feeding young or play, though Peregrines showed more aggression between individuals than Lanners.
Different provinces, different falcons
The study found clear geographic patterns. Peregrine Falcons dominated online sightings in Gauteng and the Western Cape, where they thrive in urban and coastal habitats. Lanner Falcons were more often reported from rural and semi-arid areas, particularly in the Northern Cape where artificial waterholes attract birds and observers alike.
These differences align with earlier field studies: Peregrines are scarcer and more habitat-specific, while Lanners are widespread generalists, adaptable to a variety of landscapes.
Challenges and opportunities
While social media provides a huge volume of material, it is not without challenges. Misidentifications, bias towards more charismatic behaviours, and uneven geographic coverage are all limitations. However, peer review within online birding groups and validation mechanisms on platforms such as iNaturalist help to improve data quality.
The authors suggest training for citizen scientists and broader outreach could further improve the accuracy and value of such records. By combining social media with traditional surveys, conservationists can build a more complete picture of falcon ecology and population trends in South Africa.
A tool for the future
The study concludes that social media is now an essential complement to conventional monitoring. Falcons are difficult to study due to their speed, mobility and often remote nesting sites, but thousands of birders with cameras and smartphones are generating a continuous stream of observations.
Harnessing this digital tide of records could help track changes in population, distribution and behaviour, ensuring that both Peregrine and Lanner Falcons remain part of South Africa’s skies for generations to come.
Oct 2025
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