Birdfinding.info ⇒ An insular form of American Kestrel that is very common and easy to find throughout Hispaniola. Possibly the most ubiquitous of Hispaniola’s endemic birds.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel”
Falco sparverius dominicensis
Family: Falconidae
Endemic to Hispaniola and its satellite islands, where it occurs in nearly all habitats, including cities.
Identification
Among the least-marked forms of American Kestrel—most similar to “Cuban Kestrel.”
Male has sparse black spots on its wings, back, and flanks.
Both sexes have mostly white underparts, with a buffy wash on the chest and sides.
Female has a variable amount of brown streaks or spots on the sides, and sometimes on the breast.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female and male. (Diente de Perro, Dominican Republic; January 2016.) © Eduardo Pérez
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male and female. (Presa de Hatillo, Dominican Republic; January 27, 2016.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female above and male below. (Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, Dominican Republic; May 4, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Dominican Republic; November 12, 2017.) © Kenny Diaz
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Azua, Dominican Republic; December 5, 2015.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male at nest. (Azua, Dominican Republic; December 5, 2015.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Puerto Escondido, Dominican Republic; September 2, 2012.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, Dominican Republic; April 20, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, Dominican Republic; April 20, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, Dominican Republic; May 4, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, apparent dark morph male with aberrant oversized mandible. (Dominican Republic; August 18, 2013.) © Timoteo Estévez
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female. (Presa de Hatillo, Dominican Republic; January 27, 2016.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female. (Alcoa Road, Dominican Republic; November 2, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female at nest. (Azua, Dominican Republic; December 5, 2015.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female at nest. (Azua, Dominican Republic; December 5, 2015.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female. (Dominican Republic; November 18, 2012.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female. (National Botanical Garden, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; November 1, 2010.) © Kent McFarland
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female. (Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, Dominican Republic; May 4, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, female. (Alcoa Road, Dominican Republic; November 2, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Francisco Alberto Camaaño National Park, Dominican Republic; January 5, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Francisco Alberto Camaaño National Park, Dominican Republic; January 5, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Francisco Alberto Camaaño National Park, Dominican Republic; January 5, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male showing a complete view of its upperparts. (Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, Dominican Republic; April 20, 2013.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Azua, Dominican Republic; December 5, 2015.) © Dax M. Román E.
“Hispaniolan Kestrel,” F. s. dominicensis, male. (Azua, Dominican Republic; December 5, 2015.) © Dax M. Román E.
Notes
Monotypic form, one of ten or so potentially distinct forms of American Kestrel.
References
Ferguson-Lees, J., and D.A. Christie. 2001. Raptors of the World. Houghton-Mifflin, Boston.
Latta, S., C. Rimmer, A. Keith, J. Wiley, H. Raffaele, K. McFarland, and E. Fernandez. 2006. Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.
Raffaele, H., J. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and J. Raffaele. 1998. A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.