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SPECIES
FACTFILE: |
| Name: |
Common
Kestrel (falcon tinnunculus) |
| Length: |
32-35cm
(12-14in) |
| Wingspan: |
71-80cm
(28-32 in) |
| Weight: |
140-310g
(5-11oz) |
| Diet: |
Mainly
small mammals (in Britain, chiefly the short-tailed field vole)
but will also take birds, lizards & invertebrates. |
| Range:
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Most
of Europe, Asia & Africa.
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| U.K.habitat:
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Kestrels
do not build nests but make a scrape on ledges or in holes
or forks in trees.
Courtship begins in early spring with spectacular mock fights
and display flights. A clutch of 4 to 6 eggs takes about a
month to hatch with fledging about a month later. During the
incubation and early brooding period, all food is provided
by the male, requiring him to hunt many times each day.
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Bobby was kindly given to use by Nigel Middleton from the Hawk and Owl Trust at Sculthorpe.He's what we call an imprint bird (was hand reared) so is a little vocal at times.
He's a
seriously cute little bird and he has just moulted into his
adult plumage. He look absolutely stunning with a russet-brown
back and a grey head & tail.
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In juvenile plumage and testing his wings |
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Quiet for a change. |
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He's a big boy now! |
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