Sooty Falcon
Falco concolor

A: Roetvalk
G: Schieferfalke, Blaufalke
N: ǀae!khâ ǀaub
Sp: Sepekwa sa mošidi
Ss: Phakwe ya mosidi
Tw: Phakwe ya mosidi
Z: uklebompunga

BIRD FAMILY
Falcons and Kestrels

SIZE
31 cm (M)

HABITAT
Typically migrating to Madagascar but occurs in eastern coastal forest, riverine bush and stands of large, broad-leaved trees of Moz. and n KZN, increasing inland reports. Being active mostly at dusk and dawn, making for difficult identification; otherwise perches most of the day. Feeds mainly on insects including birds (preferring Passerines) and bats caught on the wing or from hawking position.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION
Rare summer visitor from NE Africa and Persian Gulf. Adult all-grey with blackish face and pale yellow cere and legs, differing from Grey Kestrel in darker colour and long, pointed wings that extend beyond the tail when perched. In flight distinctive darker primary and secondary trailing wing to lighter grey wing coverts (less distinct so in female), wings long and pointed with no barring on wing or tail. Immature also greyer than similar small falcons , with grey spots on creamy underparts, white hind-collar, no rufous coloration, broad dark trailing edge to wings and dark subterminal band on tail.