Spotted Kestrel (Falco moluccensis)

Other Names (World)
Spotted Kestrel, Moluccan Kestrel

Family
Falconidae (Falcons, Caracaras)

Size
28 - 33 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Bonaparte, 1850)

Habitat
Open woodlands, edges of primary and tall secondary forest, grasslands.

Range (Guide)

Indonesia (B), Timor-Leste (B) (NB).

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 100,000 (2020) and increasing.

Status LC
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Food
Insects, birds, reptiles and small mammals.

Voice
Xeno-Canto Sound Files

Spotted Kestrel (Falco moluccensis) [XC284689]
by id from Kawah Ijen, Sempol, Bondowoso, Jawa Timur, Indonesia (begging call, call)

Spotted Kestrel (Falco) [XC284688]
by Bas van Balen from Kawah Ijen, Sempol, Bondowoso, Jawa Timur, Indonesia (begging call, call)

Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) and probably also with rest of Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) complex. Traditionally split into four additional subspecies, with recognition of bernsteini (northern Moluccas), javensis (Java, Bali), timorensis (Timor) and renschi (Sumba).

The following 2 subspecies are recognised:

moluccensis (Bonaparte, 1850) - Moluccas, from Morotai and Halmahera south to Buru, Seram and Seram Laut.
microbalius (Oberholser, 1919) - Sulawesi and surrounding small islands; Java and Lesser Sundas east to Tanimbar Is.

Similar Species
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) which has a grey head, lighter overall plumage.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Spotted Kestrel (Falco moluccensis) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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