Common Kestrel

Kestrels are well known to humans. They are widespread throughout Europe and North Africa and have made the human city their home. They are among the group of birds that nest in buildings, however the number of nesting sites has sharply declined due to the clearance and refurbishment of many old buildings. The bird box, an artificially constructed breeding site, is a response to this and the birds have readily adapted to them. Male kestrels have a grey head and tail with a black band on the end. The mantle, back and the upper sides of the wings are a reddish, deep brown colour with black spots. Females are somewhat larger, a lighter brown with dark, transverse bands and a brown head. The juvenile birds resemble the females in appearance until they moult. The female kestrel’s call is short and quick. Kestrel’s breed once a year between April and July. The female lays a clutch of 4 to 7 red brown, spotted eggs with an incubation period of 30 days. Voles are their main prey, however, they also hunt small rodents, insects, earthworms, lizards and smaller birds. They are known for hovering in flight - also known as wind hovering (rapid flapping of the wings to stay still in mid-flight) - when they hunt. Hovering expends more energy than perch hunting yet is actually more successful for hunting mice. Kestrels can see UV-light allowing them to detect traces of rodent faeces and urine. Some kestrel populations are resident birds, whereas others will partially or fully migrate depending on the availability of food. Similar to all native birds of prey, Kestrels are strictly protected bird species in accordance with §7 para. 2 nos. 13-14 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG). Nevertheless, they are also subject to hunting rights in accordance with §2 of the Federal Hunting Law (BJagdG).