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| − | + | '''Alternative names: Malagasy Kestrel; Newton's Kestrel; Aldabra Kestrel; Malagasy Spotted Kestrel; Madagascar Spotted Kestrel''' | |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:20120912 145151 01.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Female left, Male right<br />Photo by {{user|Dave+Clark|Dave Clark}}<br />Berenty Reserve, Southern [[Madagascar]], September 2012]] |
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;[[:Category:Falco|Falco]] newtoni | ;[[:Category:Falco|Falco]] newtoni | ||
| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | 25 cm. Only falcon with rufous upperparts on Madagascar. Relatively small with short pointed wings. | ||
| + | * Occurs in two colour morphs | ||
| + | * Pale morph with rufous upperparts, grey head, white underparts and streaked black on upper breast | ||
| + | * Dark rufous morph with very dark head and neck and deep chestnut back and underparts | ||
| + | * Yellow legs and facial skin | ||
| + | Females are similar but browner overall and more distinctively marked above and below.<br /> | ||
| + | Juveniles have edged buff flight-feahters and more heavily streaked underparts. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[Madagascar]]. | + | Found on [[Madagascar]] and Aldabra Islands. Perhaps a rare vagrant to the [[Comoro Islands]].<br /> |
| + | Common and widespread on [[Madagascar]], rare and local on Aldabra Islands. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species.<br /> | ||
| + | Birds from Aldabra Islands sometimes recognized as subspecies ''aldabranus''.<br /> | ||
| + | Most closely related to [[Seychelles Kestrel]] and [[Mauritius Kestrel]]. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Open woodland and cultivated land with scattered trees. | + | Open woodland and cultivated land with scattered trees. On Aldabra usually in palm groves and open mixed scrub.<br /> |
| + | Occurs up to 2450 m, but mainly below 1800 m. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | + | Usually seen singly or in pairs, rarely in small groups of up to 4 birds. | |
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
| + | Feeds mainly on insects, takes also small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and some small birds. | ||
| + | Still-hunts from a low branch or another perch, takes most food on the ground. Searches also by hovering low above the ground. Joins sometimes migrating [[Eleonora's Falcon]]s and [[Sooty Falcon]]s in crepuscular hawking. | ||
| + | ====Breeding==== | ||
| + | Breeding season mainly September to November. A [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monogamous]] and territorial species. Nets in cavities in buildings, cliff faces, quarries and trees, sometimes in old nests of [[Black Kite]]s or [[Pied Crow]]s. Lays usually four eggs. | ||
| + | ====Movements==== | ||
| + | No regular movements known, however appearance of this species on the Comoro Islands suggest some movements. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014) | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Falco+newtoni}} | {{GSearch|Falco+newtoni}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Falco]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Falco]] | ||
Revision as of 09:14, 5 August 2014
Alternative names: Malagasy Kestrel; Newton's Kestrel; Aldabra Kestrel; Malagasy Spotted Kestrel; Madagascar Spotted Kestrel
- Falco newtoni
Identification
25 cm. Only falcon with rufous upperparts on Madagascar. Relatively small with short pointed wings.
- Occurs in two colour morphs
- Pale morph with rufous upperparts, grey head, white underparts and streaked black on upper breast
- Dark rufous morph with very dark head and neck and deep chestnut back and underparts
- Yellow legs and facial skin
Females are similar but browner overall and more distinctively marked above and below.
Juveniles have edged buff flight-feahters and more heavily streaked underparts.
Distribution
Found on Madagascar and Aldabra Islands. Perhaps a rare vagrant to the Comoro Islands.
Common and widespread on Madagascar, rare and local on Aldabra Islands.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Birds from Aldabra Islands sometimes recognized as subspecies aldabranus.
Most closely related to Seychelles Kestrel and Mauritius Kestrel.
Habitat
Open woodland and cultivated land with scattered trees. On Aldabra usually in palm groves and open mixed scrub.
Occurs up to 2450 m, but mainly below 1800 m.
Behaviour
Usually seen singly or in pairs, rarely in small groups of up to 4 birds.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects, takes also small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and some small birds. Still-hunts from a low branch or another perch, takes most food on the ground. Searches also by hovering low above the ground. Joins sometimes migrating Eleonora's Falcons and Sooty Falcons in crepuscular hawking.
Breeding
Breeding season mainly September to November. A monogamous and territorial species. Nets in cavities in buildings, cliff faces, quarries and trees, sometimes in old nests of Black Kites or Pied Crows. Lays usually four eggs.
Movements
No regular movements known, however appearance of this species on the Comoro Islands suggest some movements.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Malagasy Kestrel. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Malagasy_Kestrel
