Falco dickinsoni
The Dickinson's Kestrel, Falco dickinsoni, is a distinctive medium-sized raptor characterized by its striking uniform slate-grey plumage, darker on the upperparts and paler on the underparts, with a contrasting pale head and an unbarred tail. Adults measure approximately 27-30 cm (10.5-12 in) in length, with a wingspan of 61-68 cm (24-27 in) and weighing around 167-278 grams (5.9-9.8 oz). A unique feature is its broad, short wings and relatively short tail, which give it a rather compact silh...
Found primarily in open woodlands, savannas, and particularly palm savannas, often associated with mature Borassus or Hyphaene palm trees, and typically near water sources or floodplains. It inhabits areas from sea level up to around 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) elevation.
Mainly consumes large insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, reptiles (lizards, snakes), small birds, and small mammals. It hunts predominantly from a perch, swooping down to seize prey from the ground or low vegetation.
Dickinson's Kestrel is largely a diurnal raptor, typically observed perching conspicuously on tall trees, dead snags, or telephone poles, from where it scans for prey. Its foraging strategy often involves a 'sit-and-wait' approach, making short, direct flights to capture prey on the ground or in ...
The Dickinson's Kestrel is distributed across southeastern Africa, from coastal Kenya and Tanzania south through Mozambique, Malawi, and eastern Zambia, extending west into parts of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and northern South Africa. Its range also includes localized populations in Angola and the Capr...
Least Concern
- Dickinson's Kestrel is named after John Dickinson, an English physician and naturalist who collected the type specimen in Zanzibar in 1864. - Its almost uniform slate-grey plumage is unique among African kestrels, making it easy to identify. - This kestrel shows a strong preference for palm tre...