Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus)
The Mauritius Kestrel is a compact bird of prey, standing around 8 to 10 inches tall with a weight range of 4 to 6 ounces. This falcon displays a warm chestnut-brown color across much of its body, while its tail and wing feathers boast black stripes. Its powerful beak is an eye-catching yellow, contrasting starkly against its brown head.
They were once the world's rarest bird, with only four individuals in the wild in 1974. However, dedicated conservation efforts have helped the bird recover, and its population has increased to around 170-200 birds today.
Despite its successful rebound, the Mauritius Kestrel is still listed as an endangered species due to its small population size and limited habitat range, which make it vulnerable to habitat destruction and predators.