Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rock Kestrel
Falco rupicolus
Rock Kestrel (Falco rupicolus) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Rock Kestrel (Falco rupicolus) is a member of the Falconidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 183 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Falconiformes
- Family Falconidae Caracaras, Falcons
- Genus Falco
- Species rupicolus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 183 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Falconidae
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rock Kestrel preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Rock Kestrel is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Rock Kestrel (Falco rupicolus) belongs to the Falconidae family of the order Falconiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Angola to s Tanzania s to South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 183 g, with a wing length of about 23.8 cm and a tail of around 14.1 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rock Kestrel?
The Rock Kestrel is a large bird that weighs around 183 g.
Where does the Rock Kestrel live?
The Rock Kestrel is found across Africa with a range covering AF Angola to s Tanzania s to South Africa, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Rock Kestrel belong to?
The Rock Kestrel (Falco rupicolus) belongs to the Falconidae family, in the order Falconiformes.
What does the Rock Kestrel eat?
The Rock Kestrel preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Rock Kestrel migrate?
The Rock Kestrel is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
What sound does the Rock Kestrel make?
1 real field recording of the Rock Kestrel — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
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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