THE DIET OF GREATER KESTRELS FALCO RUPICOLOIDES NEAR PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Summary Kemp, A. C. & Filmer, M. The diet of Greater Kestrels Falco rupicoloides near Pretoria, South Africa. Ostrich 60:65-68. The diet of Greater Kestrels Falco rupicoloides was recorded near Pretoria, South Africa by analysis of pellets, direct observation of hunting behaviour and records of prey delivered to nests. Invertebrates and vertebrates formed two distinct size categories of prey. Orthoptera, Solifugae and Isoptera were the main invertebrate prey and rodents and birds were the main vertebrate prey. Invertebrates formed 92–94% of prey items on average throughout the year, but vertebrate prey rose in importance during the courtship, incubation and, to a lesser extent, nestling periods.