Mauritius Kestrel

The Mauritius Kestrel is endemic to the island of Mauritius, found in the remaining patches of native forest and forested gorges, particularly in the southwest of the island. It is renowned in conservation circles for its recovery from a critically low population of around four known individuals in the early 1970s to a much larger, more secure population today through intensive breeding and habitat management efforts.

Its relatively short, rounded wings reflect an adaptation to maneuvering through forest rather than open-country pursuit, distinguishing its flight style from many continental kestrels.

Recognizing Mauritius Kestrel feathers

• Flight feathers: Rufous-brown with dark barring, notably shorter and more rounded than the flight feathers of open-country kestrels, suited to forest flight.
• Tail feathers: Rufous-brown with dark barring, relatively short.
• Body feathers: Back feathers rufous-brown with dark barring; underparts feathers pale buff to whitish with bold dark spotting.
• Shaft color: Brown.
• Compared to similar species: As the only kestrel endemic to Mauritius, feathers found on the island are readily attributable to this species; its shorter, more rounded wing feathers reflect forest adaptation compared to the longer, more pointed feathers of open-country kestrels elsewhere.

Adults show rufous-brown upperparts with dark barring and pale buff to whitish underparts marked with bold dark spotting. Sexes are broadly similar in pattern. Juveniles are similarly patterned with slightly duller tones, reaching adult plumage within their first year.

Restricted to remaining native forest and forested gorges of Mauritius, particularly in the southwestern part of the island. Resident, with no migration off the island, and a range that remains naturally very limited due to historical habitat loss.

Hunts geckos, insects, and small birds within forest, often perching and making short pursuit flights through the canopy and forest edge rather than open-sky hovering. Nests in tree cavities and, following conservation intervention, in nest boxes and on cliff ledges. Calls include sharp, high-pitched chattering. A short, rounded rufous-brown feather with dark barring and bold underside spotting, found in native Mauritian forest, is characteristic of this endemic and conservation-notable species.