The kestrel is best known for praying, which you often see along the road. For a long time, it was the most numerous bird of prey, but that is now the buzzard. Nevertheless, it is still a characteristic bird of the open country in the Netherlands. An outspoken field mouse hunter, it likes to nest in nest boxes in open country. If mice are scarce, it will also take young meadowlarks or sparrows. Exclusively takes prey from the ground.
Small falcon with long tail. Distinctive reddish-brown back in all plumage. Male with grey head and grey tail with black terminal band, female with entirely reddish-brown upperparts, including strongly banded tail. Shallow, calm flight, prays a lot. In silhouette, the long tail is distinctive, wing tips less pointed than in other falcons. In sit, the tail extends well beyond the wing tips. Short toes.
Specialises on small mammals, especially voles (such as field mouse, earth mouse, root vole). Also does songbirds of open country, chicks of meadow birds, large insects (beetles, grasshoppers and the like), especially when there are no mice. Hunts in low, calm flight, while praying and from a perch. Picks up prey from the ground after a thrust dive, is not fast enough to strike birds in the air.
Hi!
My name is Janne, I am 28 years old and live in beautiful northern Limburg.
I have a cat called Dexter (yes, from the series) and am a doctor's assistant in daily life.
In my spare time, I prefer to spend my time in nature and try to spot..
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Netherlands
Germany
Netherlands
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands