Family life of European Kestrels
Click to start
the video
When the video does
not start, reset and
reload the browser
Wolfgang Praegler & Gudrun Mirbach-Praegler
The
first
flight
often
is
only
very
short
with
a
stop
on
the
ground. Then it gets dangerous for the young bird.
This is a young kestrel training for take off.
The
European
Kestrel
is
the
most
common
type
of
kestrel
in
our
region.
It
has
a
body
size
of
approximately
36cm
and
a
wingspan
of
up
to
75cm.
It
can
often
be
seen
hovering
above
the
ground,
looking
for
prey:
mice,
little
birds,
worms…
Kestrels
do
not
build
nests.
They
are
cavity
nesters,
nesting
in
holes
in
rocks,
in
trees,
or
in
buildings.
The
female
produces
3
to
6
eggs
and
takes
on
the
breeding,
while
the
male
is
supplying
her
with
food.
When
feeding,
the
parents
take
care
that
each
of
the
chicks
gets
its
share.
When
the
time
comes
for
the
young
to
leave
the
nest,
the
adult
ones
often
show
prey
from
a
nearby tree to attract the young ones to leave the nest.