The grey kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus) is an African bird of prey belonging to the falcon family Falconidae.

The most similar species is the sooty falcon which has a more rounded head, long wings extending past the tail and less yellow around the eye.

The grey kestrel is generally silent outside the breeding season but has a shrill, chattering call and a rattling whistle.

It is widespread in West and Central Africa but is absent from densely forested regions including parts of the Congo Basin.

In the south it reaches northern parts of Namibia and Zambia and vagrants have appeared in Malawi.

It feeds mainly on insects, lizards and small mammals such as bats[2] but will also take birds, amphibians and worms.