This falcon is widespread in southern Africa. It hunts over open country and hilly terrain, often using rocks or roadside posts as perches.
It is 27–35 cm long, and females are larger than males. The rufous upperparts are spotted black, while the head and tail are grey. Females are browner and have more narrow tail bars.
It hovers over open ground and pounces on prey, and can also hunt from a perch. Its prey includes small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.