DSC1728 Kestrel... - a photo on Flickriver

            Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus 
 
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".

This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.

Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.

Unusual 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.

Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.

The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.

Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.

Population:

UK breeding:

46,000 pairs

Taken on: March 23, 2019

Tags:

Kestrel

Kestrels

Animal

Animals

Birds.

Bird

Bird Photography

Raptors

Birds of Prey

Hawk

Hawks

Heathland

Hedgerows

Heathlands

Heaths

Countryside

Coastal Birds

Copse

Cliffs

Trees

Verges

Glades

Grasslands

Moorland

Marshland

Meadows

Marshes

Moors

Nikon

Nature Photography

Nature

Norfolk

NGC

NPC « less

Groups appears in: • Wildlife Photography • NATUREPIX more » • UK Wildlife Trusts • Unlimited Birds • Nature Watch UK • TMI: your ART & NATURE **NO PEOPLE OR MAN-MADE OBJECTS** P1♥C1 • Wings Of The World • The Worlds Best Nature, Wildlife, And Macro Photography • The European Nature And Wildlife Group • NATURE'S BEST • Official National Geographic Group • Nikon Nature Photography • Wildlife UK • NatureLovers • NATURE'S - CREATIONS • Wales Birders • #4 PLATINUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 1 (P2-A2) with CODE • the RSPB • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Photographing Birds • Wildlife of the British Isles • Nikon - Nature • Nature's Golden Carousel ~ Closed! • RSPB Love Nature • World of Birds • UK - Wildlife & Nature • Nature- The Best of Flickr. • Nature's wildlife animals and birds • Nikon WILDLIFE & NATURE • Uk birdwatchers • #3 PALLADIUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 5 (P2-A10) with CODE • Wild Bird Photography • Spectacular Bird Photos • *Feathers & Beaks* P1 - A3 • The Best Wildlife Photography on Planet Earth. • #2 18K Gold wildlife/ Post 1 - Award 3 (P2-A6) with CODE • World of Wildlife • UK wild life watching • Nikon Nature • Nature of the British Isles • Our Wonderful and Fragile World - P1 - A4 • NATURE'S SPIRIT (by invitation) (post 1/award 1) • Wildlife and Landscape Photography • Treasures of the World • Wildlife Sightings UK • Nature's Elite/PLEASE ONLY NATURE PHOTOS • The Wonderful Wildlife UK • This is Nature • Nature TTL - Nature Photographs • Worldwide Fauna • The World of Birds • Nature and Animals (Wild Only) • Stunning wildlife • Birds..wild birds field guide of Britain • Nature watch photography. • UK-Birds & Wildlife • The Best of British Birds and Wildlife « less

Stats: 11,447 views / 151 comments