Banded Kestrel

The Banded Kestrel is found only on Madagascar, inhabiting forest edge, woodland, and wooded savanna across the island. Unlike many kestrels, which show contrasting rufous backs against paler underparts, this species is patterned with fine barring across nearly its entire plumage, giving it a notably different look from mainland African kestrels.

As a Madagascar endemic, any finely barred kestrel-type feather found on the island is a strong candidate for this species.

IUCN status: Least Concern, though restricted entirely to Madagascar.

Recognizing Banded Kestrel feathers

• Flight feathers: Dark brown with fine, dense pale barring throughout.
• Tail feathers: Strongly and evenly banded dark and pale, more heavily barred than most other kestrels' tails.
• Body feathers: Back, breast, and belly feathers all show fine dark-and-pale barring, unlike the streaked or spotted underside typical of many kestrels.
• Shaft color: Brown.
• Compared to similar species: As Madagascar's only endemic kestrel with this banding pattern, it is not easily confused with mainland African kestrels, which show more contrast between plain and marked regions of the body.

Adults show fine, dense barring across nearly the whole body, wings, and tail, giving an overall patterned, banded look rather than the more contrasting patterns of many kestrels. Sexes are broadly similar. Juveniles show a similar barred pattern, though feather edges may appear slightly buffier when freshly molted.

Endemic to Madagascar, found in forest edge, woodland, and wooded savanna across the island. Resident, without migration off the island.

Hunts insects and small reptiles, typically from a perch within or at the edge of woodland. Nests in tree cavities. Calls include sharp, repeated chattering notes typical of small falcons. A finely and densely barred brown feather found in Madagascar woodland or forest edge is a good match for this endemic species.