Red footed falcon

Introduction: Red-footed falcons (Falco vespertinus) breed in forest fringes, semi-forested areas, wetlands and crop-lands. Roosts in small stands of trees and in suburbs of small towns such as Tsumeb and Otavi. Perches on telephone poles and wires, fence lines and on dead trees.

Distribution: Winters in northern Namibia area such as Etosha National Park, Caprivi, Kalahari Desert, Waterberg Plateau.

Diet: Spiders and insects such as crickets and locusts, large beetles.

Description: Characteristic orange-red legs and feet, hence the name. Vespertinus is Latin for 'of evening or twilight' a reference to them roosting in great numbers just before dark. Often confused with Amur falcon which has paler cheeks and white (not dark grey) underwing coverts.

Breeding: Extralimital.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 170g.