Red-necked Falcon

Uncommon resident. Identified by rusty crown and nape and almost uniformly well-barred upper and lower ,grey, body appearance, except for plain upper breast and narrow rusty chestnut moustache. Yellow feet, cere and eye ring. Distinctive tail band Immature, has dark brown crown and lightly barred underparts dull brown crown and tail band. Generally seen in open palm savanna in the Okavango & Mozambique and also among camelthorn trees in the west, n Cape/Kalahari/Namib grasslands, usually around water courses. Sometimes hunts in collaboration with the [Gabar Goshawk] in the Kalahari. Feeding on small birds, doves, pipits, weavers, occasionally rodents. Hunts other birds in short sallies from a deep covered perch in a dashing pursuit with rapid wingbeats, usually around waterholes or similar bird congregations. Call is a typical falcon ‘Ki-Ki-Ki’. Nest of lined sticks at the base of palm or canopy of thorn tree. Clutches of 3-4 eggs. 160-250g.