Falco araea is found on the granitic islands of the Seychelles, with a stable population of 370 pairs on Mahé¹¹ and a further 10-15 pairs on its satellite islands. Praslin, Silhouette and Ile du Nord were believed to hold at least another 20 pairs between them^3,9, but a recent survey found just four pairs on Praslin^4,12. There are frequent records from La Digue but no recent evidence of breeding^6,8. At least one pair has also been heard on Félicité⁷. Considerable development and habitat alteration have taken place on Mahé since 2002, suggesting that a population increase since then is unlikely, and that a decline could have occurred¹⁴.