Mauritius kestrel

The Mauritius kestrel is a bird of prey from the family Falconidae endemic to the forests of Mauritius, where it is restricted to the southwestern plateau's forests, cliffs, and ravines. It is the most distinct of the Indian Ocean kestrels. It colonized its island home to evolve into a distinct species probably during the Gelasian. It is the most distant living species among the western Indian Ocean kestrels.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Mascarene Islands (Mauritius)

Typical Environment

Restricted to native and restored evergreen forests, cliffs, and rugged ravines primarily in the southwest of Mauritius, with some use of adjacent plantation edges. It typically nests on cliff ledges, in tree cavities, and in artificial nest boxes. The species forages within forest canopies and along edges, adapting to mosaics of native forest and scrub. It avoids dense urban areas and extensive open farmland. Habitat quality and prey availability strongly influence territory density.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size26–30 cm

Wing Span45–55 cm

Male Weight0.17 kg

Female Weight0.25 kg

Life Expectancy12 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The Mauritius kestrel was once the world’s rarest bird—reduced to just four known individuals in 1974—but it rebounded thanks to intensive conservation, including captive breeding, nest-box programs, and releases. It hunts mainly within forested ravines and cliffs and is the most distinct of the Indian Ocean kestrels. Despite its recovery, it remains conservation-dependent and vulnerable to habitat loss and invasive species.

Gallery

Showing tail feathers

Bird awaiting reintroduction, 1989

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with agile, maneuverable flight; brief hovering

Social Behavior

Typically monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds and defending small forest territories. Nests on cliffs, in tree cavities, or nest boxes; both sexes incubate and feed young. Clutch size is usually 2–4 eggs, and productivity is higher where prey is abundant.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A sharp, high-pitched series of kik-kik-kik alarm and contact calls. Courtship includes excited chatter and repeated calls around the nest area.

Unlock detailed bird insights with Pro access today.

Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Mauritius night heron

The Mauritius night heron is an extinct night heron species from Mauritius. It is only known by seven subfossil bone remains consisted of cranium, pelvis, coracoid, ulna, radius, and tarsometatarsus found in Mare aux Songes. Only the coracoid and the tarsometatarsus are left today. It was scientifically described in 1893 by Edward Newton and Hans Gadow from the University of Cambridge. Newton and Gadow measured the tarsometatarsus with 81 to 87 mm. It became presumedly extinct shortly after it was first mentioned by François Leguat in 1693 who described them as a "great flight of bitterns".

Mauritius scops owl

The Mauritius scops owl is an extinct species of scops owl that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius. It is known from a collection of subfossil bones from the Mare aux Songes swamp, a detailed sketch made by de Jossigny in 1770, a no less detailed description by Desjardins of a bird shot in 1836, and a number of brief reports about owls, the first being those of Van Westzanen in 1602 and Matelief in 1606. Other names for the species include Mauritius owl, Mauritius lizard owl, Commerson's owl, Sauzier's owl, or Newton's owl.

Mauritius sheldgoose

The Mauritius sheldgoose, also known as the Mauritius shelduck, is an extinct species of sheldgoose that was endemic to the island of Mauritius. While geese were mentioned by visitors to Mauritius in the 17th century, few details were provided by these accounts. In 1893, a carpometacarpus wing-bone and a pelvis from the Mare aux Songes swamp were used to name a new species of comb duck, Sarcidiornis mauritianus. These bones were connected to the contemporary accounts of geese and later determined to belong to a species related to the Egyptian goose and placed in the sheldgoose genus Alopochen. The Mauritius and Réunion sheldgoose may have descended from Egyptian geese that colonised the Mascarene Islands.