Kestrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kestrel |
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| An adult male common kestrel | |
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Falco (in part)
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Kestrels are amazing birds of prey, part of the falcon family. They are known for their special way of hunting. Unlike some other falcons that chase their prey, kestrels often hover in the air. They can stay almost still, watching the ground below.
Kestrels usually fly about 10 to 20 meters (around 30 to 65 feet) above open fields. They look for small animals like mammals, lizards, or large insects. Once they spot something, they quickly swoop down to catch it. Kestrels have a lot of brown feathers in their plumage, which is their covering of feathers.
Kestrels are very good at hovering. They can even do it indoors in places like barns! When they hover, they face into any light wind. This is why the common kestrel is sometimes called a "windhover."
Kestrel Families
It's pretty cool, but male and female kestrels often have slightly different feather colors. This is unusual for falcons. Also, the female kestrel is a little bigger than the male. This size difference helps them hunt different kinds of prey. This means they can both find enough food in their home area.
Kestrels are brave birds and have learned to live near people. You might see them nesting on buildings or hunting along busy roads. Kestrels don't build their own nests. Instead, they use nests that other birds have made.
Kestrel History and Homes
Kestrels have been around for a long time. The main group of true kestrels appeared about 2.5 million years ago. They are thought to have started in Africa. From there, they spread across the "Old World," which includes Europe, Asia, and Africa. They even reached Australia less than a million years ago.
There are also some kestrel types living on islands in the Indian Ocean. While some grey-colored birds from Africa and Madagascar look like kestrels, they might be a different group.
In the Americas, there is only one type of kestrel. It's called the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). This bird lives in many different places. The male American kestrel is very colorful, with a reddish back and tail.
Images for kids
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A young American kestrel sitting on a car roof in Boston
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Common kestrel flying in Iran
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