Kestrels can absolutely be used for falconry! While larger falcons like peregrines may be more commonly associated with the sport, kestrels have a long history in falconry and make excellent beginner birds.
Kestrel Facts
The kestrel is a small falcon species found worldwide. There are several different kestrel species, but the most common species used in falconry include:
- American kestrel
- Eurasian kestrel
- Lesser kestrel
Kestrels are known for their ability to hover in place by rapidly flapping their wings. This allows them to scan open fields for prey like mice, voles, insects, and small birds. Despite their small size, kestrels are fierce hunters and very agile fliers.
Advantages of Kestrels for Falconry
Here are some of the main advantages of using kestrels for falconry:
- Small size – Kestrels are much smaller than large falcons, making them easier to handle and house.
- Docile temperament – Kestrels have a reputation for having a milder temperament compared to larger falcon species.
- Easier training – The kestrel’s size and temperament make it one of the easiest raptors to train for beginners.
- Adaptability – Kestrels can hunt in a variety of habitats from open fields to wetlands.
- Low cost – Kestrel equipment, housing, and care is much less expensive compared to large falcons.
The kestrel’s small size and agility allows it to take smaller prey like sparrows, mice and insects. This makes it a great choice for falconers who don’t have access to large open hunting fields. Kestrels can hunt successfully in smaller green spaces and parks.
Challenges of Using Kestrels
While kestrels make great falconry birds, there are some challenges to their use as well:
- Limited cold tolerance – Kestrels do not tolerate cold temperatures as well as larger falcons. Care must be taken in colder climates.
- Fragility – Their small size makes kestrels more fragile. They can be injured if mishandled.
- Short hunting range – Kestrels generally have a shorter hunting range than large falcons. This restricts their use in very open terrain.
- Prey size – They can only take small prey items due to their size which limits their capabilities compared to large falcons.
While these limitations must be considered, many falconers feel the kestrel’s benefits far outweigh their few disadvantages. With proper care and training, kestrels make excellent falconry birds.
Kestrel Housing and Equipment
One advantage of kestrels is they require minimal housing and equipment compared to large falcons. Some things to provide for a kestrel:
- Mews – A small enclosed chamber or box is sufficient. Often kept indoors.
- Perches – A range of small perch sizes to fit the kestrel’s feet.
- Bathing water – A shallow bowl or tray of water for bathing.
- Outdoor perches – For getting the kestrel outdoors. Can be portable or permanent.
- Jesses and leashes – Must be customized to the smaller kestrel feet.
- Hood – A small hood to keep the kestrel calm and reduce distractions.
- Gloves – Optional for handling and protection.
- Lures – Small lures are used for training rather than live prey.
With some basic raptor equipment suited to their small size, kestrels can be flown very successfully. This makes them ideal for beginners before moving on to larger falcons.
Training a Kestrel for Falconry
Kestrels can be trained for falconry using similar methods as larger raptors. Some training tips include:
- Start training at a young age – Earlier is better with kestrels.
- Use food as positive reinforcement – Slowly associate humans with food.
- Get them accustomed to equipment – Introduce jesses, leash, gloves, hood etc.
- Start with short flights and a creance line – Let the kestrel adjust to being tethered.
- Use small lures for early training – This mimics their natural hunting style more closely.
- Build trust and relationship through handling – Get the kestrel comfortable perching on glove.
- Advance to free flight as skills develop – Start from a low perch until strong flight is achieved.
- Introduce live prey items later on – Such as mice, sparrows, insects.
- Be patient and consistent – Kestrels can take longer to fully train than larger falcons.
With time and care, a kestrel can become a finely trained falconry bird. Their athleticism and hunting skills will become readily apparent with proper training.
Types of Prey for Kestrels
Kestrels can take a variety of prey, but mainly focus on smaller items appropriate to their size. Common kestrel prey includes:
Prey Type | Examples |
---|---|
Small mammals | Mice, voles, shrews, bats, baby rabbits |
Small birds | Sparrows, starlings, finches, larks |
Large insects | Grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, dragonflies |
Earthworms | Nightcrawlers and other large worms |
Live prey like mice, sparrows or insects elicit the strongest hunting response once the kestrel is fully trained. But for early training, lures are preferred over using live prey while the kestrel is still learning.
Kestrel Falconry Techniques
There are a few main falconry techniques that work especially well with kestrels due to their natural hunting behaviors:
- Hovering – Allowing the kestrel to hover in place scanning for prey from an elevated perch.
- Open field hunting – Using their speed and agility to pursue prey flushed from grasslands and meadows.
- Perch hunting – Natural perch-to-ground attack style for prey like mice and voles.
- Waiting-on – Having the kestrel wait overhead as you flush prey from cover.
- Bow and arrow hunting – Using a bow to flush prey for the kestrel to intercept in flight.
A versatile and creative falconer can come up with many innovative hunting strategies to maximize their kestrel’s abilities.
Conclusion
Kestrels have been valued hunting partners for thousands of years, prized for their agility, speed, and bold hunting spirit despite their small stature. For the beginner falconer, no bird provides a better introduction to the art of falconry than the spunky kestrel.
With proper training, housing, and hunting techniques tailored to their abilities, kestrels can provide many seasons of enjoyable falconry and a close bond with these captivating raptors. Their use is limited only by the imagination and skill of the falconer who takes the time to understand the kestrel’s full potential.