various Falcons

The LESSER KESTREL, Falco naumanni, is smaller than the Common Kestrel and has similar plumage but has white rather than black talons. It is found at Mediterranean latitudes across the eastern hemisphere from Spain to China, and winters further south in Africa/south Asia.

A male Lesser Kestrel (above) is in flight with prey (a Rose Starling). The meal is for the chicks in the rocky nest hole further above. The male has a grey head and tail. The female (first photos) has a brown head and tail, the same brown as the body plumage.

The AMERICAN KESTREL, Falco sparverius, is much smaller than the Common (Eurasian) Kestrel. Both male and female have a grey cap but only the male has grey on his wings. The female has more barring, especially on the tail. There are several subspecies since the American Kestrel ranges from Canada to the southern tip of South America.

The (WESTERN) RED-FOOTED FALCON, Falco vespertinus, from Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, winters in Africa (some vagrants in Western Europe). The male has mainly grey plumage with red-brown thighs and under-tail; the female is browner, particularly her head/front and has malar eye-stripes like kestrels.

The AFRICAN PYGMY FALCON, Polihierax semitorquatus, the smallest bird of prey in Africa, is some 20 cm long and 50-70 gm. From east and southeast Africa, prey is mainly insects and small reptiles plus some small birds.