Dickinsons kestrel

Introduction: Dickinson's kestrel (Falco dickinsoni) are named after the British doctor and missionary to Malawi, Dr. John Dickinson (1832-1863). This species favour well-watered floodplains associated with various palms, mopane woodland and baobab trees.

Distribution: North-eastern Namibia, Kaudom Game Park extending through the Caprivi to the Chobe River and Victoria Falls.

Diet: Hunts from high perch in dead tree for mainly grasshoppers, crickets, birds, snakes, frogs, bats and other small mammals and crabs.

Description: Thick looking and strong, square-headed kestrel whose tail tip project beyond the wings tips when resting.

Breeding: Solitary nesters in a cavity or hollow in crown of palm or stump of dead trees. Females lay between 1 and 5 eggs from late September to late October and incubated for around 30 days.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 220g.