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The Kestrel, ( Falco tinnunculus)is the most familiar and easily seen bird of prey and appears to be declining in farmland areas. Although, enlightened farmers are conserving kestrels by erecting nesting boxes on tail polesIt is pigeon-sized, long-winged, daytime hunter most often seen perched on telegraph poles or wires or hovering by roadsides. It hangs at a height of 20 or 30 ft poised in the air with quivering wings and widespread depressed tail searching the ground below. Even in the face of a stiff gusty wind it can remain stationary in mid-air. If no prey is sighted the bird glides forward or circles a few times before hovering once more over new ground. Although the Kestrel's main prey is small mammals, especially voles, the catalogue of birds taken is a lengthy one. For example, larks, pipits and finches but kestrels are capable of taking such quarry as fieldfares, turtle doves and lapwing. Extract from RSPB Complete Birds of Britain by Rob Hume and The Collins Gem Guide. Birds. |
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