kestral
1. Bird Name
English Name: Kestrel
Scientific Name: Falco tinnunculus
2. Appearance
Kestrels are small, colorful birds of prey, notably recognized by their rich chestnut backs and spotted, pale underparts. Headgear includes a gray cap for males and a warm buff color for females. The beak is short, sharp, and hooked, well suited to a predatory lifestyle. Males have gray-blue wings, while females’ wings are reddish-brown. These birds boast a distinctive black ‘moustache’ that contrasts starkly against their light-colored cheeks.
3. Size
Kestrels average about 34 to 38 cm in length (around 13-15 inches) with a wingspan extending to 65 to 80 cm (approximately 26-31 inches). They typically weigh around 150 to 200 grams (around 5.3 to 7 ounces).
4. Habitat & Distribution
Kestrels are commonly found across Europe, Asia, and Africa. They favor a variety of habitats like farmland, woodland edges, marshes, moors, and sometimes even urban areas. They are highly adaptable birds and can live anywhere from sea level to mountainous regions.
5. Interesting Facts
a) Kestrels, unlike many birds of prey, can hover, with a stationary flight for hunting.
b) They can see near-ultraviolet light, detecting the trails of urine that voles leave as they run along their regular paths, thus spotting potential prey.
c) In medieval falconry, the kestrel was known as the “lady hawk” and was often owned by women.
6. Diet
Kestrels feed mainly on small mammals like field voles, mice, and shrews. They also consume small birds and insects, adapting their diet according to availability.
7. Behavior & Sounds
These birds are solitary and monogamous, sticking with a single partner per breeding season. Their flight is quick and agile, often hovering over one position when hunting. Kestrels’ call is a series of 3-6 ‘klee’ or ‘killy’ notes. During courtship, they emit a shrill “chitter.”
8. Conservation Status
While the number of kestrels has declined in some regions due to changing farming methods, they are currently classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
9. Lifespan
In the wild, kestrels can live for about 16 years, though the average lifespan is much lower, around 4-5 years. In captivity, these birds can live up to 20 years.
10. Additional Notes
-‘Kestrel’ is derived from the French word ‘crecelle,’ which means ‘to rattle,’ hinting at their distinctive call.
-In folklore, the kestrel is sometimes known as the ‘Windhover’ due to its hovering behavior.
-Kestrels play important roles in their ecosystems as predators, controlling the population of rodents and insects.
-Despite their small size, kestrels are fierce and bold, often using old nests of crows and pigeons to raise their young.
-They have been used for years in falconry due to their relatively docile nature and high trainability.
