Do you ever look up in the sky and wonder what kind of birds are soaring around? Chances are, you’ve seen kestrels. Kestrels are beautiful birds of prey with distinctive features and amazing abilities. In this blog post, we’ll explore the exciting world of kestrels, from their habitats and behavior to their conservation status and more! So, let’s get started!

Introduction to Kestrels

Kestrels are small birds of prey in the family of falcons, which also includes hawks, eagles, and owls. There are over 40 species of kestrels that can be found in almost every corner of the world. They are easily recognizable by their colorful plumage, which can range from white to black, and their long tails, which can be up to twice as long as their bodies. Kestrels typically weigh between three and seven ounces, with their wingspan ranging from 17 to 24 inches.

Kestrels are also unique in that they are the only birds of prey to have a hovering flight. This means that they can stay in one spot in the air, flapping their wings rapidly to stay in place. This hovering flight allows them to spot their prey more easily, which they then swoop down and catch with their sharp talons.

Types of Kestrels

There are a variety of different types of kestrels that can be found throughout the world. In Europe, the most commonly seen kestrel is the common kestrel, which has a grayish-brown plumage and a white head and tail. In North America, the American kestrel is the most common, with its striking black, white, and red markings.

The Red-footed kestrel is found in Africa and parts of Asia, with its striking red legs and yellow beak. The Australian kestrel is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea, and has a distinctive white head and tail. The Amur falcon is found in eastern Asia and is the largest species of kestrel. Finally, the Montezuma quail-dove is found in Central and South America and is the smallest species of kestrel.

Kestrel Habitats

Kestrels can be found in a variety of habitats, including open grasslands, deserts, forests, and even urban areas. They prefer open spaces with plenty of perches, such as trees, power lines, and telephone poles, which they use as lookout points to spot their prey. They also prefer areas with plenty of small mammals, such as mice and voles, which they hunt for food.

Kestrels are also highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of climates, from temperate to tropical. They are also known to migrate, with some species traveling thousands of miles each year.

Kestrel Behavior and Diet

Kestrels are diurnal, which means they are active during the day and rest at night. During the day, they hunt for their food, which consists primarily of small mammals, such as mice, voles, and shrews, as well as insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles, and moths.

Kestrels are also known to take advantage of other birds’ hunting efforts, such as following hawks in order to steal their prey. They are also known to steal food from other birds, such as jays, crows, and magpies.

Kestrel Reproduction

Kestrels typically mate for life, and the pair will build a nest together in a tree, cliff, or other tall structure. The female will lay between three and five eggs, which she will incubate for 28 to 30 days. After hatching, the young kestrels will stay in the nest for another 30 days before they are ready to fly and hunt on their own.

Kestrels typically have one brood per year, but in some areas, they may have two. They are also known to re-use the same nest each year, adding new material to it each time.

Kestrels and Human Interaction

Kestrels are a common sight around human settlements, and they are often seen perched on telephone poles and power lines. They are also seen in urban areas, where they hunt for small mammals, such as mice and voles, that live in parks and gardens. In some parts of the world, kestrels are even kept as pets.

Kestrels are also beneficial to humans, as they help to keep rodent populations under control. They also help to control insect populations, as they feed on a variety of insects.

Kestrel Conservation Efforts

Kestrels are considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but they are still at risk due to habitat loss, hunting, and the use of pesticides. Conservation efforts are underway to protect kestrels, including the designation of protected areas, the reintroduction of kestrels into areas where they have been lost, and the creation of artificial nests to provide safe breeding grounds.

Interesting Kestrel Facts

Kestrels are amazing birds, and here are some interesting facts about them:

Kestrels are the only birds of prey to have a hovering flight.
Kestrels can see ultraviolet light, which helps them to spot their prey.
Kestrels have a distinctive call that sounds like “klee-klee-klee”.
Kestrels can live up to 15 years in the wild.
Kestrels have a unique courtship display, which includes the male flying up into the air and then diving down to the ground with his wings spread wide.

Kestrel Watching - Cloudforest One

Kestrels are a popular sight for birdwatchers, and there are a variety of ways to go about watching them. Kestrels can be seen perched on telephone poles and power lines, and they also like to hunt in open fields, so these are good places to start looking. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a kestrel hovering in the air, as they search for their prey.

Kestrels can also be seen in the winter months, when they migrate south to warmer climates. During these months, they can be seen in large flocks, soaring high in the sky. We currently have a kestrel living and hunting on Cloudforest One at Lahinch in County Clare - we have affectionately named him Kevin - we are hoping to catch high definition video footage of him in the next couple of months and bring him onto the internet.

Conclusion

Kestrels are beautiful, fascinating birds that have adapted to many different habitats around the world. They are also highly beneficial to humans, as they help to keep rodent and insect populations under control. Kestrels are also a popular sight for birdwatchers, who can observe them in their natural habitats or even keep them as pets. So, if you ever have the chance to spot a kestrel, take it! You won’t regret it! And Remember if you visit one of our Cloudforests there is a very high probability you will get to witness one in flight and hunting.

Soaring High: Discovering the Amazing World of Kestrels!