Greater Kestrel

Afrikaans name: Grootrooivalk

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Falco rupicoloides

The Greater Kestrel occurs over much of the interior and western regions of South Africa. Beyond our borders it is found along the south-west coast of Africa and in East Africa. In some parts it is known as the White-eyed Kestrel.

The main prey item of the Greater Kestrel is insects but it will also take small reptiles, birds and rodents. It either hunts from a perch or by hovering in the air.

The pair don't normally make their own nest but rather choose to re-use the nest of other raptors or crows. Quite often nests in man-made structures such as pylons are chosen.

The female can lay up to 7 eggs and she incubates them for a month or so. Once the chicks have hatched then both adults hunt for prey for the chicks. The chicks will remain with the parents for around a year.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	122	Megacerchneis rupicoloides
2nd	122	Falco rupicoloides
3rd	122	Falco rupicoloides
4th	122	Falco rupicoloides
5th	182	Falco rupicoloides
6th	182	Falco rupicoloides
7th	401	Falco rupicoloides

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	122	Greater Kestrel
2nd	122	Greater Kestrel
3rd	122	Greater Kestrel
4th	122	Greater Kestrel
5th	182	Greater Kestrel
6th	182	Greater Kestrel
7th	401	Greater Kestrel

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	122	Groot-rooivalk
2nd	122	Groot Rooivalk
3rd	122	Groot Rooivalk
4th	122	Groot Rooivalk
5th	182	Grootrooivalk
6th	182	Grootrooivalk
7th	401	Grootrooivalk

References and further reading

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 41

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 64

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 45

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 105

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 48

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 59

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 130

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 122

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 234

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 160

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 163

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 89

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 83

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 190

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 164

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 64

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 92

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 190

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 768

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 70

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 22

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 65

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 48

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 68

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 229

Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 132

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 118

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 76

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 125

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 122

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 125

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 63

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds