Rock+Kestrel

The rock kestrel is a raptor (birds that hunt other animals) native to central and southern Africa. They are in the Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Subclass: Neornithes, Infraclass: Neognathae, Superorder: Neoaves, Order: Falconiformes, Family: Falconidae, Genus: Falco. Their Binomial Name is Falco Tinnunculus Rupicolus. This name was given by François Marie Daudin in 1800. The rock kestrel is a raptor. A raptor or bird of prey, is a bird that hunts other animals. The Rock Kestrel hunts rodents, small birds, reptiles, and insects. They hunt by picking up their prey from the ground. When hunting a bird, they can catch them mid-flight.

The rock kestrel lives in a wide range of places, but is common to find them in hilly/mountainous areas. They range east and west from Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and south to South Africa. They have the highest sightings in Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, and South Africa.

The rock kestrel’s mating season is August-January. Mating peaks from August-October in Southwest Africa, and September-November in Southeast Africa. Nests are usually built on cliffs, and sometimes buildings. They also might use a vacant nest built by birds like ravens and crows. After mating, a female will lay 1-6 eggs. The eggs will then need to be incubated for 27-31 days. After hatching the young birds take up to 36 days to fledge, and will be independent after another 40 days. The population of the rock kestrel has remained stable for the most part. Because of this, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies The rock kestrel in the LC (Least Concern) category on their conservation list.