Falco alopex
The Fox Kestrel (Falco alopex) is a striking raptor, easily distinguished by its rich, unbarred rufous plumage across its back and wing coverts, contrasting with paler, black-streaked rufous underparts. Measuring 32-38 cm (12.5-15 in) in length with a wingspan of 76-88 cm (30-34.5 in) and weighing 250-330 g (8.8-11.6 oz), it is one of Africa's larger kestrel species. Distinctive field marks include its relatively long tail, dark primary flight feathers, and a yellow cere and legs, setting it ...
This kestrel primarily inhabits dry, open savannas, grasslands, and semi-desert areas, showing a strong preference for rocky outcrops, cliffs, and inselbergs. It can be found from sea level up to elevations of over 2,000 meters in mountainous regions.
The Fox Kestrel's diet primarily consists of large insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, small rodents, lizards, and occasionally small birds. It is an opportunistic hunter, adapting its prey selection based on availability within its arid environment.
The Fox Kestrel is a diurnal raptor, typically seen singly or in pairs, with both adults roosting on prominent perches such as cliffs or large trees. Its primary foraging strategy involves perch-hunting, where it surveys the ground from an elevated position, making short, direct flights to captur...
The Fox Kestrel is a resident species distributed across a wide belt of central and western Africa, primarily within the Sahel and Sudanian Savanna zones. Its range extends from Mauritania, Senegal, and Guinea in the west, eastward through Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Further ...
Least Concern
- The Fox Kestrel is one of the largest kestrel species found in Africa, surpassing many of its relatives in size. - Its common name, 'Fox Kestrel,' is a direct reference to its rich, rufous-orange plumage, reminiscent of a fox's fur. - Unlike some kestrels that prefer open country with scattered...