David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
__________________________________________________________ Birds 10 – Common
Kestrels
COMMON
KESTREL Falco tinnunculus COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
and Eurasian Magpie Pica pica
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
- The
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus is
the commonest British species of falcon. These birds are absolute masters
of the air and they are equally at home in urban or rural habitats and by
motorways where they may often be observed hanging motionless in mid-air
just waiting for something edible to be disturbed. Some individuals
(particularly juveniles) may become quite tolerant of the approach of
humans provided that no threat is perceived. Small mammals, birds and a
range of invertebrates like the grasshopper shown in the ninth photograph
are the principal food items taken by this small raptor. The grey and
reddish-brown colours of an adult male may be seen to best effect in the
seventh and eighth photographs and the first three images are cropped
close-ups of the same bird. He had caught a medium-sized Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus and he was an expert
at catching them. However in doing so he is likely to have ingested coumarin-based anti-coagulant drugs that had been put
down to poison these rodents and the consequences could have ultimately
proven to be fatal for this lovely bird as well as for the intended
targets. Females and juveniles lack the grey feathers and they are
predominantly brown in colour. Raptors are perceived to be a threat by
corvids such as the Eurasian Magpie
Pica pica
in the tenth photograph, seen giving fruitless chase to a falcon easily
capable of out-manoeuvring it!
Links to 'ARKive' species accounts:
- For further information about the Kestrel use the following link: http://www.arkive.org/species//ARK/birds/Falco_tinnunculus/
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