Photo: Brian Ralphs from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Malagasy Kestrel
Falco newtoni
Malagasy Kestrel (Falco newtoni) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
The Malagasy Kestrel (Falco newtoni) is a member of the Falconidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 123 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 newtoni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 123 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Falconidae
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Malagasy Kestrel is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Malagasy Kestrel is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Malagasy Kestrel (Falco newtoni) is a member of the Falconidae family, within the order Falconiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar and Aldabra (sw Seychelles).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 123 g, with a wing length of about 18.9 cm and a tail of around 12.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 591,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Malagasy Kestrel?
The Malagasy Kestrel is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 123 g.
Where does the Malagasy Kestrel live?
The Malagasy Kestrel is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar and Aldabra (sw Seychelles), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Malagasy Kestrel belong to?
The Malagasy Kestrel (Falco newtoni) belongs to the Falconidae family, in the order Falconiformes.
What does the Malagasy Kestrel eat?
The Malagasy Kestrel is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Malagasy Kestrel migrate?
The Malagasy Kestrel is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Malagasy 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 Malagasy Kestrel make?
1 real field recording of the Malagasy Kestrel — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Malagasy Kestrel's range?
The Malagasy Kestrel has a mapped global range of about 591,000 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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