Réunion kestrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Réunion kestrel |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Falco
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| Species: |
duboisi
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The Réunion kestrel (Falco duboisi) was an extinct bird of prey that belonged to the falcon family. It lived only on the Mascarene island of Réunion. This bird was part of a group of kestrels found in the Western Indian Ocean. It disappeared around the year 1700.
What Did the Réunion Kestrel Look Like?
We know about the Réunion kestrel from old bones found in the ground. We also learned about it from the writings of a person named Dubois in 1674.
This kestrel was bigger than its cousin, the Mauritius kestrel. It was about the same size as a common kestrel. From its head to its tail, it measured around 35 centimeters (about 14 inches). Male kestrels were smaller than the females. This size difference helps them avoid competing for the same food.
We think the Réunion kestrel was mostly brownish, like its relatives. It probably had a lighter belly with darker spots. Its tail was likely brown or grey with black bands and a black tip. Its feet were yellow and quite large for its body size.
The kestrel's wingspan was about 60 to 70 centimeters (24 to 28 inches). Its wings were more rounded than a common kestrel's. This shape helped it fly easily through forests while hunting. It's likely that the only difference between male and female kestrels was their size.
What Did the Réunion Kestrel Eat?
The Réunion kestrel mainly ate other birds. But it also hunted insects and the Réunion Island day gecko (Phelsuma borbonica). Dubois wrote that even though these kestrels were small, they could hunt and catch domestic chickens.
Why Did the Réunion Kestrel Disappear?
In the early 1670s, Dubois mentioned three types of birds of prey on Réunion. These were papangues, pieds jaunes (meaning "yellow-feet"), and émerillons (a name for small falcons). It's not completely clear which name referred to the Réunion kestrel. Most likely, it was the émerillon.
The pieds jaunes were probably young Malagasy harriers. These young harriers have distinct colors and yellow feet. The Malagasy harrier (Circus macrosceles) still lives today.
The Réunion kestrel seems to have become extinct around the year 1700. The reason for its disappearance is a bit of a mystery. At that time, there weren't many new predators like cats or rats on the island. Even rats probably didn't cause a big problem for these birds.
People did see the kestrels as a pest because they hunted chickens. But hunting alone probably didn't cause their population to drop so much. The Malagasy harrier, for example, was also hunted for centuries but still survived. This makes the Réunion kestrel's extinction even more puzzling.
