Falco newtoni (Gurney Sr, 1863)

Species Name

This species, the Malagasy kestrel (Falco newtoni), reaches a total length of 30 cm.

Wing Length

Male wing length ranges from 180 mm to 195 mm, while female wing length ranges from 188 mm to 203 mm.

Body Weight

Male body weight is between 112 and 118 grams, and female body weight can reach up to 128 grams.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Head Coloration

For typical (non-rufous morph) males, the head and nape are rufous grey with dark streaks.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Facial Marking

A dark moustachial streak runs from the base of the bill backward to the sides of the throat.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Upperparts Coloration

The upperparts and wing coverts are chestnut with black spots, and the uppertail coverts are grey with blackish spots.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Long Flight Feathers

The long flight feathers are blackish brown, and their inner webs are covered with white and chestnut spots.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Underparts Base Color

The underparts are whitish.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Short Flight Feathers

The short flight feathers are chestnut-colored with dark bands.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Underside Spotting

Black spots cover the chest, belly, and underwing coverts.

Male Non-Rufous Morph Tail Features

The tail is grey, with six to seven narrow black bars, a broad subterminal black bar, and white tips on all tail feathers.

Rufous Morph Existence

There is also a rufous color morph of this species.

Rufous Morph Head Coloration

In the rufous morph, the head and nape are almost black.

Rufous Morph Body Coloration

The body and underwing coverts are dark chestnut brown with black streaks and spots.

Rufous Morph Throat and Underwing Coverts

The throat is buffish-white, and the underwing coverts are greyish white with black spots.

Female Plumage Features

Female Falco newtoni have a stronger chestnut color on the head, more extensive spotting on the underparts, and a brown tail with black bars.

Adult Soft Part Features

Both sexes have a slate grey bill with a black tip, a yellow cere, and legs that are either yellow or bright orange in the rufous morph.

Juvenile Plumage

Juveniles have similar coloration to adult females.

Overall Range

This species has a large range, and is native to Madagascar, Mayotte, and the Comores.

Madagascar Habitat and Distribution

The Malagasy kestrel is a non-migratory breeding resident in Madagascar, where it occurs in savannas, wetlands, and artificial landscapes near human settlements, at altitudes from 0 to 2000 meters above sea level.

Forest Occurrence

It is uncommon in forested areas.

Aldabra and Comores Population Range

The Aldabra kestrel population is associated with Grande Terre (an island of the Aldabra group), with evidence also of its presence on Anjouan in the Comores.

Nesting Sites

Malagasy kestrels typically nest on rock ledges, in buildings, in tree holes, or in abandoned stick nests built by other bird species, such as the pied crow.

Clutch Details

They lay a clutch of four to six eggs, usually in September.

Incubation Behavior

Only the female incubates the eggs, and the male feeds her at regular intervals during this incubation period.