Kestrel
by Chris Smith
Title
Kestrel
Artist
Chris Smith
Medium
Photograph
Description
Kestrel in flight with a blue sky,
Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around 10–20 metres (33–66 ft) 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. In addition, kestrels are notable for usually having much brown in their plumage.
Kestrels can fly in stationary air, even indoors in barns. While hovering they face towards any slight headwind, leading to the Common Kestrel being called a "Windhover" in some areas.
Unusually for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although 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. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Uploaded
June 8th, 2014
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