Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Mauritius kestrel" in English language version.
Following del Hoyo and Collar (2014), we recognize Reunion Kestrel Falco duboisi, with range "Extinct. Formerly occurred on Réunion Island; may have survived until the 1670s" (Cowles 1994).
The Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus) had been studied since early 1973 and its life history is now fairly well known. It is a distinctive island form, the males averaging 130-140g and the females 160-170g. There is no readily detectable difference between adults and immatures, as all have the female type plumage. The species has evolved in the evergreen sub-tropical forests of Mauritius and occupies a niche similar to that of an accipiter. In morphology and behaviour it also shows convergence with accipiters, with short rounded wings and a dashing hunting technique. Considerable attention has been focused on this kestrel because of its extreme rarity and apparent impending extinction. In 1974 the world population was stated to be only six individuals, including two in captivity. Since then the kestrel is thought to have increased slightly in the wild, but it still remains critically endangered at fewer than 15 individuals.
During the 1981/82 breeding season, we removed first clutches of eggs from wild kestrels for artificial incubation.
Although at least 71% of ringed birds attempted to breed in their first year, only 38% of the nests of first-year females successfully fledged young, averaging 1.7 per successful nest. Older females fledged young from 64% of nests, fledging an average of 2.0 per successful nest.
