Fun Seychelles Kestrel Facts For Kids

The Seychelles kestrel is a small bird that comes from the Falconidae family and belongs to the Falco genus. It is the only breeding bird of prey endemic to the Seychelles islands. Commonly called ‘katiti’ by the local people for their loud call, these birds are non-migratory and are one of only two in Seychelles, the other being the Madagascar kestrel.The Falco araea has a limited distribution range on the island itself and recently there has been great effort taken in making sure that their breeding population remains stable. With their population number being 800 birds, their conservation status has been classified as Vulnerable. On the Seychelles islands, they are most common in central Seychelles, Silhouette, Felicite, and North Island. Seen in pairs, this bird is very rare on Praslin and Mahe is where the breeding of these birds takes place. Being the smallest of all kestrels, these species are seen to be reddish-brown in color with black spots, with a gray head. The female looks similar to the male but is slightly larger and duller. Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea) makes its habitats in a scrub, forest, woodland, farmland, and even in coconut plantations. Having a carnivorous diet, they often feed on geckos, lizards, rats, mice, grasshoppers, and other small birds. They rarely fly, just silently waiting on an exposed perch for prey to pass. When it does, this bird will swoop down and catch it. You’d be surprised to learn that Seychelles does not make a nest to lay its eggs! Rather, it uses only scrap material as one and chooses a cliff, rooftops, or a tree as its nesting site. The breeding season of this bird species usually occurs from August to October. The female Falco araea lays about two to three eggs which are white with brown markings on them. After hatching, the young birds remain with their parents for a period of 14 weeks.If you’d like to learn more about birds, check out our peach-faced lovebird facts or American kestrel facts!

What do they prey on? Geckos, small birds, insects

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 2-3 eggs

How much do they weigh? 3.4-5.3 oz (96.3-150.2 g)

How long are they? 7-9 in (17.78-22.8 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Reddish-brown

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss

What is their conservation status? Vulnerable

Where you’ll find them? Woodlands, Scrub, Cliffs, Coconut Plantations

Locations The Seychelles Islands

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Falco

Class Aves

Family Falconidae

Seychelles Kestrel Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a Seychelles kestrel?The Seychelles kestrel or locally called ‘katiti’ is a type of bird that is also known as the Falco araea, its scientific name.What class of animal does a Seychelles kestrel belong to?The Seychelles kestrel belongs to the class of Aves. It is of the Falco Genus and Falconidae family.How many Seychelles kestrels are there in the world?The population of the Seychelles kestrels, which comes from the Falconidae family and Falco genus, has been estimated to be around 800 birds around the world. The IUCN has listed their population as Vulnerable and various efforts are being made to stabilize their population and range.Where does a Seychelles kestrel live?It can be seen in forests, scrub, and farmland and around rock faces and houses. Using scraps as a nest or making them out of sticks, they often give more importance to scouting appropriate nesting sites such as cliffs, building rooftops, or trees.What is a Seychelles kestrel’s habitat?The Seychelles kestrel was formerly found in native forests, woodlands, farmlands, and even in coconut plantations. But due to the destruction of this type of habitat for logging and human development, the Seychelles kestrel habitat is now in secondary forests and plantations, cultivated areas, and open urban areas. Their population is distributed across various parts of the Seychelles islands. It is very common in Central SeychellesWho does Seychelles kestrel live with?The Seychelle kestrel forms pairs and lives in pair bonds. The pair bond together takes over a particular territory for a long period of time.How long does a Seychelles kestrel live?As they are part of the kestrel species, these birds with a vulnerable population are known to live for about four years, forming pairs. Their range exists throughout the Seychelles Island like Silhouette, Praslin where it is rare, Felicite and North Island.How do they reproduce?These vulnerable birds have an interesting breeding system. The breeding season usually takes place in August and October, sometimes going till January. They are often seen portraying aerial displays while simultaneously making loud, short calls. Living in pairs, this bird does not make any nest but instead uses scraps or sticks to make one. They scout for nesting sites such as cliffs, isolated cavities in trees or buildings to place their nest. This bird often uses the nest of the common myna to lay its eggs as well. The Seychelles kestrel or ‘katiti’ lays about two to three eggs which are white and brown. The female then proceeds to incubate them for about a month. The young ones stay with their parents for 14 weeks and they leave the nest in about 42 weeks. Breeding is observed to be successful at higher altitudes.What is their conservation status?These birds are located in one part of the world since they are not considered to be migrators too. The Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea) has been classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. This species of bird, used to breed throughout Central Seychelles but now they do so in other islands like Mahe, North Island, Silhouette, and Praslin as well, where they were quite rare. Efforts by various organizations are being made to stabilize their population. Seychelles Kestrel Fun Facts What does the Seychelles kestrel look like?The adult male has dark reddish-brown upperparts along with black spots on them. His underparts are unspotted and buff. The head and rump are dark blue-gray. The tail is blue-gray and has black markings on it. The beak is dark and the feet are yellow. The female is similar to the male species but is slightly bigger and paler-looking.*Please note that the main image and this image are of different Kernels, not a Seychelles Kestrel specifically. If you have images of Seychelles Kestrel, then please let us know at [email protected].How cute are they?Although being wild in nature, these small birds of prey that have a Vulnerable conservation status can look quite cute as their bodies look puffed up and fluffy. They also don’t look as mean as a regular falcon!How do they communicate?These vulnerable birds are said to communicate with each other visually as well as acoustically. The Seychelles kestrel call is quite loud, shrill, and sharp, taking a ‘ki-ki-ki’ sound.How big is a Seychelles kestrel?The Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea) the smallest birds of prey species and is about 7-9 in (17.78-22.8 cm) in length. Its population comes from the falcon genus.How fast can a Seychelles kestrel fly?These species of birds found on the small islands of Praslin, Silhouette, North island and Felicity are excellent fliers and are very swift. When they do fly, their speed is about 40 mph (64.3 kph) which is the same as a coyote or zebra!How much does a Seychelles kestrel weigh?The Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea) or the ‘katiti’ that eats lizards and other large insects weighs about 3.4-5.3 oz (96.3-150.2 g), the same as great eared nightjars!What are the male and female names of the species?There are no specific male or female names of this species of kestrels. They go by their common name which is Seychelles kestrel or scientifically, Falco araea.What would you call a baby Seychelles kestrel?The baby Seychelles kestrel is called a chick.What do they eat?The Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea) has a largely carnivorous diet, often feeding on green day geckos, lizards, insects, frogs, rats, mice, grasshoppers and other smaller birds.Are they dangerous?They are not necessarily dangerous but like any other bird, they can feign an attack when provoked or threatened.Would they make a good pet?No, these falcon species would not make a good pet as they are wild birds. Furthermore, given the predatory and wild nature of this bird population, they would not make exciting pets. Hence, it is best to leave them in their natural habitat where they thrive best.Did you know…The eyesight of the Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea) or ‘katiti’ is really sharp, allowing them to locate their prey from great distances. Traditionally, people used to think that these birds brought bad fortune and killed it, possibly leading to them becoming a vulnerable species with Seychelles kestrel range range existing only on the Seychelles Islands and nowhere else in the world.How many species of kestrels are there?Kestrels come from the same genus as Falcons. There are about eight species of kestrel species namely the Malgasy kestrel, Mauritius kestrel, reunion kestrel, spotted kestrel, nankeen kestrel, common kestrel, rock kestrel, and the Seychelles kestrel.Which country are Seychelles kestrels native to?The Seychelles Kestrel species of bird is native to the Seychelles islands with their population spread across the islands. Coming from the Falconidae family, these birds do exist anywhere else in the world except on the Seychelles islands.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these toucan bird facts and red-footed booby bird facts for kids.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Seychelles kestrel coloring pages.Second image by Primejyothi.

What type of animal is a Seychelles kestrel?

The Seychelles kestrel or locally called ‘katiti’ is a type of bird that is also known as the Falco araea, its scientific name.

Fun Seychelles Kestrel Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Geckos, small birds, insects

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 2-3 eggs

How much do they weigh? 3.4-5.3 oz (96.3-150.2 g)

How long are they? 7-9 in (17.78-22.8 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Reddish-brown

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss

What is their conservation status? Vulnerable

Where you’ll find them? Woodlands, Scrub, Cliffs, Coconut Plantations

Locations The Seychelles Islands

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Falco

Class Aves

Family Falconidae

Fun Seychelles Kestrel Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Geckos, small birds, insects

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 2-3 eggs

How much do they weigh? 3.4-5.3 oz (96.3-150.2 g)

How long are they? 7-9 in (17.78-22.8 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Reddish-brown

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss

What is their conservation status? Vulnerable

Where you’ll find them? Woodlands, Scrub, Cliffs, Coconut Plantations

Locations The Seychelles Islands

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Falco

Class Aves

Family Falconidae

Fun Seychelles Kestrel Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Geckos, small birds, insects

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 2-3 eggs

How much do they weigh? 3.4-5.3 oz (96.3-150.2 g)

How long are they? 7-9 in (17.78-22.8 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Reddish-brown

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss

What is their conservation status? Vulnerable

Where you’ll find them? Woodlands, Scrub, Cliffs, Coconut Plantations

Locations The Seychelles Islands

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Falco

Class Aves

Family Falconidae