Kestrels
The name kestrel is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around 10–20 m over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects. Other falcons are more adapted to active hunting on the wing.
Kestrels require a slight headwind in order to hover, hence a local name of windhover for Common Kestrel. Their ability to spot prey is enhanced by being able to see ultraviolet which is strongly reflected by vole urine.
Description:
Plumage typically differs between male and female, and (as is usual with monogamous raptors) the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads.
Nesting / Breeding:
Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Click here for woodworking instructions to build a nesting box for Kestrels.
Bird species known by this name include:
- The Common Kestrel, found in Europe, Asia, and Africa
- The smaller Lesser Kestrel, found in southern Europe, India, and Mediterranean Africa
- The American Kestrel, found in North America and South America
- The Fox Kestrel, found in Equatorial Africa
- The Gray Kestrel, found in Central to Southern Africa
- The Dickinson's Kestrel, found in Eastern to Southern Africa
- The Greater Kestrel, found in Eastern to South Africa
- The Madagascar Kestrel
- The Banded Kestrel, found on Madagascar
- The Seychelles Kestrel
- The Mauritius Kestrel
- The Spotted Kestrel, found in Indonesia
- The Nankeen Kestrel, found in Australia and New Guinea
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