Young Kestrel
by Michelle Meenawong
Title
Young Kestrel
Artist
Michelle Meenawong
Medium
Photograph - Metal Print
Description
The name kestrel (from French crécerelle, derivative from crécelle, i.e. ratchet) is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around 10–20 metres (35–65 ft) over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects. Other falcons are more adapted to active hunting in flight. In addition, kestrels are notable for usually having mostly brown in their plumage.
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.
A very grateful thank you to the following groups for featuring this picture
ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHS
03/23/2019
WILD BIRDS OF THE WORLD - A NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
03/25/2019
FAA PORTRAITS - BIRDS
03/25/2019
WILDLIFE ONE A DAY
05/15/2019
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS
12/28/2019
Uploaded
March 23rd, 2019
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