African kestrel

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There are four kestrel species endemic to mainland Africa, and two also found elsewhere.

The Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is found over much of mainland Africa away from desert and forest regions. Common Kestrels sometimes migrate but not over particularly long distances (eg central Europe to North Africa), and several subspecies have emerged. The South African subspecies, known as the Rock Kestrel, is distinct but not sufficiently so to be classified a separate species. Two sedentary subspecies live on Cape Verde Islands, the Lesser Cape Verde Kestrel, F. t. neglectus, on the north-western islands and the Greater Cape Verde Kestrel, F. t. alexandri, elsewhere. There are also two sedentary subspecies on the Canary Islands, F. t. canariensis and F. t. dacotiae.

The Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni, is a winter visitor to East Africa from nesting sites in Southern Europe.

The Fox Kestrel, Falco alopex, is restricted to a narrow belt north of the equatorial forest and is classified endangered. It is the largest kestrel species and generally migrates a short distance north-south. Recent research hypothesizes the Fox Kestrel to be a remnant of the common ancestor of all (non-gray) kestrels.

Greater Kestrel, Falco rupicoloides

The Greater Kestrel (or White-eyed Kestrel), Falco rupicoloides, is a sedentary bird of South and East Africa. It lives alongside the Rock Kestrel, and although larger there is little to distinguish the two behaviourally.

Two kestrel species are gray. They also differ from other species in that they prefer to hunt from a perch, thus favouring open countryside with sporadic trees. Naturally they often use objects such as telephone poles. Both are sedentary. The Gray Kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus, is found in Central and Southern Africa, and Dickinson's Kestrel, Falco dickinsoni, which is paler and prefers swampy habitat, is found in Eastern and Southern Africa.

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Falco

• Greater Kestrel
• Gray Kestrel
• Dickinson's Kestrel