Madagascar Kestrel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iMadagascar Kestrel | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
The Madagascar Kestrel (Falco newtoni), also known as Malagasy Spotted Kestrel, Newton's Kestrel, Madagascar Spotted Kestrel, Katiti (Creole) or Hitikitike (Malagasy), is a small bird of prey of the genus Falco. It is named after British ornithologist Edward Newton. It occurs in two subspecies on Madagascar and at Aldabra. The race from Aldabra is also called Aldabra Kestrel (Falco newtoni aldabranus).
Contents |
[edit] Description
[edit] Madagascar Kestrel
It can reach a size of 30 cm. The wings are 180 mm to 195 mm at the males and 188 mm to 203 mm at the females. The males can reach a weight between 112 and 118 grams. The weight of the females is up to 128 grams. The head and the nape of the males is rufous grey with dark streaks. A dark moustachial streak running from the basis of the bill backwards to sides of the throat. The upperparts and the wingcoverts are chestnut with black spots. The uppertail coverts are grey with blackish spots. The long flight feathers are blackish brown, the inner webs are covered with white and chestnut spots. The underparts are whitish. The short flight feathers are chestnut coloured and dark banded. The chest, belly and underwing coverts are covered with black spots. The tail is grey coloured. It has six to seven narrow black bars and a broad subterminal bar. All feathers have white tips. In addition there is a rufous phase. At this morph the head and nape are almost black. Body and underwing coverts are dark chestnut brown with black streaks and spots. The throat exhibits a buffish-white hue. The underwing coverts are greyish white and spotted black. The head of the females is stronger chestnut coloured. The underparts are more spotted and the tail is brown with black bars. Both sexes exhibits a slate grey bill with a black tip. The cere is yellow. The legs are either yellow or bright orange (rufous morph). The juveniles are similar coloured as the females. Its call sounds like iitsi, kitsi, kitsi, kitsi
[edit] Aldabra Kestrel
The Aldabra Kestrel looks similar to the Madagascar Kestrel but it is slightly smaller. The wings are 170 mm to 183 mm at the males and 177 mm to 186 mm at the females. Some females exhibit entirely white underparts.
[edit] Distribution
The Madagascar Kestrel has a large range of occurrence and it is native to Madagascar, Mayotte, and the Comores. Its a breeding resident on Madagascar where it occurs in savannas, wetlands but also artificial landscapes in the vicinity of human settlements in altitudes from 0 to 2000 asl. It avoids forests. The habitat of the Aldabra Kestrel is the Aldabran Island of Grande Terre but there is also an evidence for the island of Anjouan at the Comores.
[edit] Reproduction
 |
Please help improve this article by expanding this section. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. Please remove this message once the section has been expanded. |
[edit] Diet
|
Please help improve this article by expanding this section. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. Please remove this message once the section has been expanded. |
[edit] Further reading
- Johannes Erritzoe (1993) The Birds of CITES and How to Identify Them
- Ferguson-Lees, James & David A. Christie 2001: Raptors of the world. Helm, London
