Greater Kestrel
Falco rupicoloides
Grasslands. Entirely rufous upperparts and body; white underwings and undertail.
Falcons, Kestrels
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. At rest told from [Rock Kestrel] or [Lesser Kestrel] by entirely rufous plumage with blackish streaks, spots and bars all over, and whitish eyes. In flight told by white underwings. Immature closely similar but has dark eyes. Occurs singly or in pairs in grassland or lightly wooded thornveld, especially in arid regions. Usually perches on top of a thorn tree or roadside post; sometimes hovers. 200-350 g.
Quick Facts
Size
36 cm - M
Names
A: Grootrooivalk
Z: umathebethebanomkhulu
Ss: Seotsanyana Se Seholo
G: Steppenfalke
Bird Family
Small raptors characterised by pointed wings and, usually, prominent ‘sideburns'. Females are larger than males. Falcons are aerial hunters, typically seizing smaller birds in a rapid dive from above. Characteristic calls are high-pitched ‘kek-kek-kek-kek' sounds, uttered when agitated. Kestrels are small falcons that eat insects caught in the air with their feet, or small mammals and reptiles caught on the ground. Their flight is more leisurely than that of true falcons.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs singly or in pairs in 'grassland' or lightly wooded thornveld, especially in arid regions.
