Lesser kestrel

Introduction: The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is named after the German author and ornithologist Johann Friedrich Naumann (1780-1857). Warm and dry habitats in open or lightly wooded regions are preferred to foraging in most agricultural areas. Highly gregarious with aggregations reaching the thousands, often with rock kestrels, Amur falcon and red-footed falcon. Swarms around roosts in great numbers, often keeping the same site for decades.

Distribution: Fairly sparse recordings in central and northern Namibia including Epupa Falls, Caprivi, Etosha National Park, northern Namib Desert and Kaudom Game Park.

Diet: Eats mainly spiders or insects by day, hunting from perch, aerially or on the ground.

Description: Sits upright on short legs, making the body appear long and slimmer than it actually is.

Breeding: Migrant winter visitor to Namibia. Extralimital.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 155g.