Скальная или каменная пустельга (Falco rupicolus)/rock kestrel facts

The rock kestrel (Falco rupicolus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. This species occurs in Africa, from northwestern Angola and southern Democratic Republic of Congo to southern Tanzania, and South Africa. A slender, medium-sized kestrel. Rock kestrels feed on a wide variety of organisms. They eat primarily invertebrates, but have been known to consume rodents, reptiles and birds. Rock kestrels usually nest in either old stick nests or on cliffs, where they may make a depression in the sand. Clutch sizes vary between 1 and 6 eggs. The female incubates the eggs full-time while the male sources food. After 26 to 32 days the chicks hatch. Chicks will remain in the nest for a further 31 to 39 days post hatching. Thereafter they leave the nest, but often remain in the vicinity for several weeks.