New fossil record of the Late Pliocene kestrel (Falco bakalovi Boev, 1999) from the type locality in Bulgaria

Abstract

Twenty six new bone finds of 4 individuals (2 adult and 2 juvenile) have been described and referred to the Late Pliocene kestrel Falco bakalovi Boev, 1999. They came from the species type locality near the town of Varshets (northwest Bulgaria) and demonstrate specific distinguishing from all known falcons of the “tinnunculus” group. They enrich the bone morphology of that falcon covering a large variety of 16 different skeletal elements.