Greater Kestrel

The Greater Kestrel, or White-eyed Kestrel, is a bird of prey from the falcon family Falconidae. It stands out as one of the largest kestrels, displaying a predominantly pale rufous plumage. The back, upperwing, and flanks are adorned with black bars, while the breast features dark streaks. Notably, the head is streaked but lacks the malar stripe found in common and lesser kestrels. The rump and tail are a distinguished grey with black bars, and the tail is tipped with white. When observed in flight, the whitish underwing provides a stark contrast to the darker body. A unique feature is the whitish iris, setting this bird apart from similar species. The bill is primarily blue-grey, and both the feet and cere are a vibrant yellow. Juvenile birds can be identified by their rufous tails, streaked flanks, and dark eyes.

Identification Tips

Adult Greater Kestrels measure between 29–37 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 68–84 cm. The southern subspecies, F. r. rupicoloides, has an average weight of 181–334 grams, while the smaller F. r. arthuri weighs about 165–252 grams. The northern subspecies, F. r. fieldi, is also on the smaller side and is paler compared to the others.

Habitat

This kestrel favors open, arid landscapes such as grasslands, savannas, and semi-deserts, often in the vicinity of acacias. It thrives in areas where the ground cover remains below 50 cm and can be found from sea level up to 2150 meters, with a preference for altitudes between 800 and 1800 meters.

Distribution

The Greater Kestrel is fairly common and widespread in the southern parts of its range but becomes scarce and patchily distributed further north. Its habitat spans across Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, parts of Angola, Zambia, and much of South Africa, excluding the wetter regions in the south and east. The subspecies F. r. arthuri resides in Kenya and northern Tanzania, while F. r. fieldi is found in Ethiopia, Eritrea, northern Somalia, and likely northern Kenya. The total range encompasses approximately 3.5 million km².

Behaviour

Most Greater Kestrels are sedentary, though some exhibit nomadic or dispersive tendencies. The population is stable, estimated to consist of 100,000 to 200,000 pairs.

Song & Calls

Typically silent, the Greater Kestrel occasionally emits a shrill, repeated call.

Feeding

The Greater Kestrel often hunts from an exposed perch or by hovering, a common trait among kestrels. Its diet primarily consists of invertebrates such as grasshoppers, termites, beetles, and solifugids, but it also preys on lizards, small birds, mammals, and snakes. It generally captures its prey on the ground and is known to be attracted to fires, seizing insects and other creatures as they escape the flames. It may cache surplus food beneath vegetation or stones.

Reproduction

Breeding seasons vary by region. In the south, it spans from July to April, peaking between September and December. In Kenya and Tanzania, breeding occurs throughout the year with a concentration between April and July, while in Somalia, it is from April to August. The Greater Kestrel typically appropriates old nests of other birds, such as those of Cape or Pied Crows, usually situated 2 to 20 meters above ground in trees or occasionally on man-made structures. Clutch size ranges from two to seven eggs, with three or four being most common. Incubation lasts 22 to 23 days, primarily by the female. The fledglings take their first flight after 30 to 34 days and remain dependent on their parents for at least another 26 days.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Greater Kestrel as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.