Rock Kestrel

Brenton, Western Cape, South Africa

The rock kestrel is now recognised as a separate species from the Eurasian kestrel and is the most common kestrel in South Africa. This raptor is also found northwards to Tanzania, the DRC and  northwestern Angola. It is a species associated with more arid and semi-arid environments for instance karoo, grassland and desert as well as around urban areas. It moves north-east to Botswana, Zimbabwe and northern South Africa outside the breeding season in response to the rainy season and abundant prey.

Feeding

A rock kestrel's diet consists of mainly invertebrate but they will also prey on rodents, bird and reptiles. It hunts by hovering or perching high up - like the bird in the picture - and swooping down on its prey,  Alternatively it will hawk insects and birds on the wing  which is the least energy efficient method but is the most successful.

Breeding

The rock kestrel is monogamous, territorial and usually a solitary nester. During the breeding season, the rock kestrel is found on and around cliffs where it nests and roosts. The nest is often a deserted crow or raven's stick nest,  a scrape in a hole or crack in a cliff, or occasionally on a building ledge. The female incubates a clutch of between one and six eggs and stays with the chicks whilce the male brings food. 

Wildfile Specials

• Rock kestrels will follow baboons through grasslands to catch insects that they disturb.
• Rock kestrels will taking chicks from the nests of other species.
• A small quarry in the Western Cape houses around 12 breeding pairs with nests about 30 metres apart, a unique example of sociable breeding.
• The rock kestrel was once categorised as a sub-species of the Eurasian kestrel. One difference it the harsh warning call of "chay- chay-chay" which is unlike the Eurasian kestrel's "kee-kee-kee". There is also very little range overlap.