Spotted kestrel

Spotted kestrel
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Falconiformes
Family:	Falconidae
Genus:	Falco
Species:	F. moluccensis
Binomial name
Falco moluccensis (Bonaparte, 1850)
Subspecies
Falcon moluccensis moluccenis Falcon moluccensis microbalius

A spotted kestrel in flight

The spotted kestrel (Falco moluccensis) is also known as the Moluccan kestrel.

Distribution and habitat

Spread through Wallacea and Java, the spotted kestrel inhabits grasslands with scattered trees, lightly wooded cultivation, and the edges of primary and tall secondary forest. Along logging roads, it occasionally penetrates forests, and sometimes inhabits clearings within forested areas. It has also been known to live in areas of human habitation.

Behavior

The spotted kestrel displays similar habits to that of the common kestrel.

Diet

The spotted kestrel feeds primarily on small mammals, birds, mostly waterfowl and doves, lizards, and insects.

Nesting

Displaying similar nesting habits to other kestrels, the spotted kestrel can be found occupying man-made structures, abandoned nests, and cliff sides. In Indonesia, nest were found in a variety of locations including the peaked roof traditional housing or in the crowns of a palms trees. Nests are usually occupied March through September or October during mating season.

Voice

The spotted kestrel has a call described as common, a keek, keek, keek, similar to other kestrels. While in flight, they tend to use a more scream-like call, rrrrit, rrrrit, rrrrit.

See also

• Falcon

Further reading

• Thiollay, J.-M. (1998). "Distribution patterns and insular biogeography of South Asian raptor communities". Journal of Biogeography. 25: 52–72. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2699.1998.251164.x.
• Olsen, Jerry; Susan Trost (2007). "Diurnal Raptors on the Island of Sumba, Indonesia, in June/July and December/January 2001–2002" (PDF). Australian Field Ornithology. 24: 158–166. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-24. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
• Thiollay, J.M; Zaini Rahman (2002). "The raptor community of Central Sulawesi: habitat selection and conservation status". Biological Conservation. 107: 111–122. doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(02)00051-4.

External links

• BeautyOfBirds, formerly Avian Web
• Planet of Birds
• Falco moluccensis-Fact Sheet (birdlife.org)
• Species account at Global Raptor Information Network