The short answer is yes, a kestrel is a type of falcon. Kestrels belong to the genus Falco, which includes all falcons. There are about 40 different species of kestrels found worldwide. Some of the more common species include the European kestrel, American kestrel, lesser kestrel, and greater kestrel. Kestrels are small falcons, with long pointed wings and long tails. They are able to hover in place while hunting, which is unique among falcons. Kestrels primarily feed on small mammals, insects, reptiles and small birds. They are fierce hunters, though are smaller than many other falcons like peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons. So in summary, kestrels are absolutely a type of falcon, sharing the key features and hunting behaviors of the falcon family.
Physical characteristics of kestrels
Kestrels share several physical characteristics and adaptations with other falcons that distinguish them from other types of birds.
- Pointed wings – Kestrels have long, narrow, pointed wings which allow them to move quickly and maneuver well in the air.
- Long tail – A long tail provides stability and assists kestrels with tight aerial turns while hunting.
- Hooked beak – All falcons including kestrels have a sharp hooked upper beak used for tearing meat.
- Talons – Sharp curved talons on their feet are used for catching and gripping prey.
- Color vision – Kestrels can see ultraviolet light, helping them locate urine trails and detect vole movements.
- Hovering ability – Unlike most other falcons, kestrels can beat their wings quickly to hover perfectly still in mid-air while hunting.
These physical attributes equip the kestrel for its role as an agile predator of smaller prey like voles, mice, lizards, and insects. The kestrel’s smaller size compared to larger falcons like gyrfalcons allows it to be highly maneuverable in its hunting environment. But it still retains the key features like wings, beak, and talons that adapt it to its falcon niche.
Hunting behaviors
Kestrels exhibit several key hunting behaviors that are shared among other falcons:
- Perching and scanning for prey – Kestrels will perch on high vantage points like trees, poles, or wires and scan the ground for prey movement.
- Hovering in place – Unique among falcons, kestrels are able to rapidly beat their wings and hover perfectly still in mid-air while hunting.
- Diving towards prey – Once prey is spotted, kestrels will swoop down extremely quickly to strike with their talons.
- Carrying prey to plucking post – After making the catch, kestrels will carry prey back to a perching spot to feed.
- Plucking feathers and fur – Kestrels pluck away fur, hair, or feathers from their prey before eating it.
- Eating meat and discarding bones – They strip meat away from bones and consume it, discarding bones and fur.
These behaviors are all shared by their larger falcon relatives. For example, the peregrine falcon also perches and scans for prey like waterfowl before making a swift stooping dive to catch them. Though kestrels are smaller and hunt different prey like rodents, lizards, and insects, their successful hunting approach borrows many techniques from larger falcon species.
Kestrel species
There are several different species of kestrel found throughout the world:
Species | Region | Description |
---|---|---|
European kestrel | Europe, Asia, Africa | Most widespread kestrel, known for its hover hunting. |
American kestrel | Americas | Abundant small falcon of open country and woodland edges. |
Lesser kestrel | Southern Europe, Africa, Asia | Small pale kestrel that nests in colonies in buildings. |
Greater kestrel | Africa | Large, crow-sized kestrel of open savannahs. |
Grey kestrel | Africa | Ash-grey coloration with banded tail. |
Dickinson’s kestrel | Africa | Pale grey with bright yellow eyes. |
Nankeen kestrel | Australia | Small falcon with rufous coloration. |
Seychelles kestrel | Seychelles Islands | Tiny Indian Ocean kestrel, world’s smallest falcon. |
This list shows the diversity of kestrels across continents and regions worldwide. But all share the core physical attributes and hunting behaviors of the broader Falco genus of falcons.
Relationship to other falcons
Kestrels are more closely related to some falcons than others. They are most closely related to the merlin – a small falcon that also specializes in hunting smaller bird species. Kestrels and merlins are somewhat distinct from larger long-winged falcons adapted to hunting waterfowl and shorebirds, like the peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon.
Some key similarities and differences between kestrels and other major falcon groups:
- Peregrine falcons – More powerful and faster than kestrels. Specialize in shorebirds and waterfowl. Less maneuverable.
- Gyrfalcons – Much larger size. Take bird prey as large as geese. Less agile than kestrels.
- Merlins – Closest relatives to kestrels. Similar small agile specialists on songbird prey.
- Hobby falcons – Longer narrower wings than kestrels adapted to swift aerial pursuit of insects.
So while kestrels have unique adaptations among falcons, they also share common ancestry closer to small bird specialists like the merlin. They diverged evolutionarily from peregrines and gyrfalcons specialized for powerful high-speed pursuit. But kestrels retain the core falcon features like beaks, talons, plucking behaviors and more linking them to their larger family.
Kestrel diet
Kestrels are carnivorous and feed on a variety of small prey including:
- Voles
- Mice
- Shrews
- Moles
- Small birds
- Large insects
- Reptiles like lizards
They hunt prey animals mainly by sight during the daytime. Kestrels will scan open ground and fields from an elevated perch looking for signs of movement that signifies potential prey. Once spotted, they swoop down quickly to grab the prey with their sharp talons. They prefer to eat small mammals like voles and mice, but will readily catch insects, lizards, and small birds when mammals are scarce.
Kestrels play an important role as predators to control populations of small rodents and insects in many ecosystems worldwide. They help regulate prey numbers and fill an important niche as small bird specialists. Their ability to hunt and survive on more agile, smaller prey separates kestrels from larger falcon species.
Kestrel habitat
Kestrels can occupy diverse habitats as long as there is available open ground for hunting and high perches for surveying the landscape. Prime kestrel habitat includes:
- Grasslands
- Meadows
- Heath
- Moorlands
- Marshes
- Agricultural areas
- Parkland
- Open woodland
Kestrels avoid dense forest and urban city centers. But they can thrive in rural and suburban areas as long as some open ground is accessible. Urban kestrels often nest on ledges of tall buildings and hunt in city parks. The American kestrel is sometimes called the “sparrow hawk” due to its ability to thrive around human settlement. Kestrel habitat ultimately comes down to availability of adequate small prey, perching vantages, and nesting sites.
Kestrel nesting
Kestrels nest in cavities in trees, crevices in cliffs and buildings, and old stick nests built by other birds:
- Tree cavities – American kestrels favor woodpecker holes in trees.
- Building crevices – European kestrels nest in narrow gaps in buildings.
- Stick nests – Lesser kestrels nest in colonies in abandoned nests of crows, storks, and ibises.
- Rock crevices – Lesser kestrels also nest in cliff faces and rocky outcrops.
The male locates potential nesting sites and the female makes the final choice. Kestrels prefer dark protected nesting spots away from predators and the elements. Females lay 3-7 eggs which hatch after 4-5 weeks incubation. Chicks fledge the nest after about a month, but remain dependent on the parents for additional weeks. Nest sites are often reused year after year by kestrel pairs and their young.
Kestrel migration
Not all kestrels migrate. Migration patterns vary by species and local climate:
- American kestrels – Partially migratory depending on region. Northernmost birds migrate south, others remain year-round.
- European kestrels – Mostly resident year-round through much of range. Some seasonal movement south.
- Lesser kestrels – Long distance migrants wintering southern Africa. Journey up to 5,000 miles each way.
- Grey kestrels – Make seasonal movements following rains and prey abundance in Africa.
Kestrels migrating long distances navigate by a combination of innate internal programming and learned environmental cues. Migration allows them to exploit seasonal peaks in prey abundance and avoid toughest winter conditions. Individual kestrels show high fidelity, returning to the same breeding sites year after year through life. Their longevity can exceed 12 years in the wild.
Kestrel threats
Some kestrel species are declining in parts of their range due to:
- Habitat loss
- Intensified agriculture
- Nest site disturbance
- Declining prey populations
- Pesticides
- Competition with larger falcons
However, other kestrel species remain widespread and numerous, especially those able to adapt to human-altered habitat. Supporting kestrel conservation where needed maintains biodiversity and healthy functioning ecosystems.
Connection to humans
Kestrels have a long relationship with humans spanning religion, folklore, falconry, and ecosystem services:
- Symbolism – Associated with wind and sun gods in Egyptian culture. Revered as beneficent spirits in Buddhism.
- Falconry – Trained kestrels called “windhover hawks” were used to hunt small game in medieval Europe.
- Agriculture – Kestrels help control rodent pests. Nest boxes are installed in fields to attract them.
- Research – American kestrels are model research organisms for studies of predator-prey ecology, population biology, and more.
- Inspiration – Beauty, grace, and hover hunting ability has inspired art, poetry, literature, and dance worldwide.
From ancient folklore to modern science, the kestrel has captivated human imagination with its aerobatic abilities. They will likely continue inspiring future generations.
Conclusion
In summary, kestrels are absolutely a member of the falcon family despite being smaller than many of their relatives. They share key physical attributes like wings, talons, and hooked beaks as well as behaviors like plucking prey and hovering while hunting. There are many kestrel species worldwide occupying diverse habitats from grasslands to cities. Some species migrate, others remain resident year-round. While a few declining species need conservation support, most kestrels remain widespread. The kestrel’s small size masks its prowess as a fierce mini-falcon, making it both a key predator in ecosystems and source of inspiration across human cultures.