Falco newtoni
The Malagasy Kestrel, *Falco newtoni*, is a captivating small raptor endemic to Madagascar and the Aldabra Atoll, known for its distinctive hover-hunting technique. Males typically measure 25-30 cm in length with a wingspan of 50-60 cm and weigh 80-120 g, displaying a striking slate-grey head, reddish-brown back with dark spotting, and lighter, rufous underparts with fewer spots. Females are generally slightly larger, up to 32 cm, and possess a more rufous head and broader barring on the tail...
This kestrel inhabits a wide range of open and semi-open habitats, including savannas, grasslands, agricultural fields, forest edges, and degraded woodlands, from sea level up to 2000 meters. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes and is often seen near villages and towns.
Predominantly an insectivore, its diet also includes a significant proportion of small reptiles (lizards, geckos), small mammals (shrews, rodents), and occasionally small birds. It primarily hunts by hovering or pouncing from a perch.
The Malagasy Kestrel is a diurnal hunter, actively foraging throughout the day and roosting solitarily or in pairs on prominent perches like dead trees, power lines, or cliff ledges. Its primary foraging strategy involves either "hover-hunting" at a fixed point or "perch-hunting," where it scans ...
The Malagasy Kestrel is a widespread resident throughout Madagascar and is also found on the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. On Madagascar, its distribution spans from coastal lowlands to the central highlands, occurring across virtually all habitat types up to elevations of 2000 meters. The spe...
Least Concern
- The Malagasy Kestrel is one of only two raptor species endemic to Madagascar, the other being the Madagascar Fish Eagle. - It is a master of "hover-hunting," able to hang almost motionless in the air, scanning the ground for prey with remarkable precision. - Unlike many raptors that build elabo...