
Greater Kestrel
The greater kestrel or white-eyed kestrel (Falco rupicoloides) is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family Falconidae.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 390 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Northern Cape and beyond
Provinces where Greater Kestrel is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
390 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Greater Kestrel
Stays that give back
Across the Eastern Cape
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Greater Kestrel recorded here
Greater Kestrel recorded here
Greater Kestrel recorded here
Greater Kestrel recorded here
Greater Kestrel recorded here
Greater Kestrel recorded here
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Forests, lagoons, and Knysna's sheltered bay
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Greater Kestrel
Hosts have recorded the Greater Kestrel at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park.
Best hours of the day
- Late morning to mid-afternoon. Raptors soar once the sun raises thermals.
- Early morning. Often perched while the air warms.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Falco rupicoloides
Records
390
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Greater Kestrel on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Greater Kestrel in Eastern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Greater Kestrel at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Greater Kestrel in South Africa?
The Greater Kestrel is most recorded in Northern Cape (54% of records), Western Cape (10% of records), North West (9% of records), based on 390 iNaturalist observations. 8 places to stay on Spekboom in Eastern Cape have recorded the Greater Kestrel on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Greater Kestrel?
The Greater Kestrel is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Mountain Zebra National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Greater Kestrel?
The greater kestrel or white-eyed kestrel (Falco rupicoloides) is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family Falconidae. It is one of the largest kestrels and is found in open country in southern and eastern Africa.

























