Rock Kestrel

The Rock Kestrel, Falco rupicolus, is a slender, medium-sized member of the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It stands between 30 and 33 centimeters in height. Males typically weigh between 183 and 254 grams, while females are slightly heavier, ranging from 190 to 280 grams.

Identification Tips

Adult Rock Kestrels exhibit a sleek body with a sharp contrast between their rufous upperparts and pale underparts. Their wings are pointed, and in flight, they display a distinctive pattern. The males and females can be distinguished by their size, with females being marginally larger.

Habitat

This species is commonly associated with arid regions but can also be found in open and semi-arid landscapes.

Distribution

The Rock Kestrel is found across Africa, from northwestern Angola and southern Democratic Republic of Congo to southern Tanzania, extending southward to South Africa. It is notably absent from north and northeast Namibia, Botswana, south Mozambique, and the tropical Lowveld, while in Zimbabwe, it is confined to high-lying central and eastern areas.

Behaviour

Rock Kestrels are versatile hunters, employing both hover hunting, where they remain stationary in the air by utilizing updrafts, and perch hunting, where they scan for prey from natural or artificial perches. They have been observed following baboons to catch insects disturbed by the primates' movement and are known to rob nests for young birds and consume termites on the ground.

Song & Calls

The call of the Rock Kestrel is a harsh "chay-chay-chay," which is particularly used when deterring intruders, setting it apart from the common kestrel's "kee-kee-kee."

Breeding

Rock Kestrels typically nest in old stick nests or on cliffs, occasionally using buildings. They lay clutches of 1 to 6 eggs, with the female incubating and the male providing food. The incubation period lasts 26 to 32 days, and chicks fledge 31 to 39 days after hatching, remaining nearby for several weeks. Breeding densities vary, with a study in Namibia recording 19.1 to 28.9 pairs per 100 square kilometers.

Similar Species

The Rock Kestrel was previously considered a subspecies of the common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, but can be differentiated by its distinct call and habitat preferences.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Rock Kestrel is diverse, including invertebrates, rodents, reptiles, and birds. They are adept at catching small prey in flight and are opportunistic in their feeding strategies.

Conservation Status

The Rock Kestrel is common within many protected areas and is currently not considered threatened.