Bird Profile - The Kestrel!
The common kestrel is a small bird of prey that is common throughout the UK, usually residing in farmland although not afraid to roam in urban areas. They are known for their signature 'hovering' technique while hunting.
What Do Kestrels Look Like?
Kestrels are small falcons that reach around 32-35cm in length (similar to the size of a magpie!) and have an impressive wing span of up to 80cm. They are usually a brown chestnut colour with light brown plumage and pointed wings. Both male and female kestrels have dark 'tear' marks below each eye, however, the males have a more blue-grey head and tail compared to the females.
What Do Kestrels Eat?
Kestrels mostly eat small rodents like voles and mice, consuming up to 8 voles a day, depending on the time of year. However, in areas where voles are less common, kestrels have also been known to eat small birds, rabbits, bats, lizards, frogs and shrews!
Kestrels also eat a variety of large insects, including grasshoppers, butterflies, moths, beetles and grasshoppers alongside spiders and scorpions - they can even see and catch a beetle from 50 metres away!
Kestrel Facts
- Hovering gives the kestrel its country name of windhover.
- Kestrels normally hunt as a family.
- Kestrels hunt during dawn to dusk, they will also hunt at night if there is enough light.
- Kestrels do not build a nest, instead they find cliff ledges, buildings or even old nests from other birds to raise their young in.
- The oldest kestrel ever ringed by the British Trust of Ornithology was 15 years and 11 months old.
- Kestrels that live on farms have learnt to wait for tractors to flush out their prey.
- The major cause of death among young kestrels is starvation: only 30-40% survive their first year.
We can all agree that Kestrels are beautiful birds. Have you seen a Kestrel lately?
