Photo: John Jennens / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Fox Kestrel
Falco alopex
Fox Kestrel (Falco alopex) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Fox Kestrel (Falco alopex) is a member of the Falconidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 274 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Falconiformes
- Family Falconidae Caracaras, Falcons
- Genus Falco
- Species alopex
Quick facts
- Weight
- 274 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Falconidae
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Fox Kestrel preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Fox Kestrel is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Fox Kestrel (Falco alopex) is a species of bird in the Falconidae family, part of the order Falconiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia to Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 274 g, with a wing length of about 28 cm and a tail of around 19.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Fox Kestrel?
The Fox Kestrel is a large bird that weighs around 274 g.
Where does the Fox Kestrel live?
The Fox Kestrel is found across Africa with a range covering AF Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia to Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Fox Kestrel belong to?
The Fox Kestrel (Falco alopex) belongs to the Falconidae family, in the order Falconiformes.
What does the Fox Kestrel eat?
The Fox Kestrel preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Fox Kestrel migrate?
The Fox Kestrel is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Fox Kestrel endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Fox Kestrel make?
1 real field recording of the Fox Kestrel — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Fox Kestrel's range?
The Fox Kestrel has a mapped global range of about 5.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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