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Nankeen KestrelAlternative names: "Windhover", "Mosquito-hawk", "Sparrowhawk*" Size: 30-35 cm; wing span 60-80 cm |
NB: Not the Kestrel you want? Try Falco tinnunculus.
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Nankeen Kestrels inhabit the entire Australian continent, with the south-western corner of Tasmania as the only exception. Staying in the south-eastern quarter of the continent or the western coastal strip of WA during their breeding season, outside the breeding season they venture into even the most arid parts of the interior.
Nankeen Kestrels hunt in many different types of habitats (coastal and inland), except dense forest such as rainforest. They often hunt from medium-high perches, such as powerlines.
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Sightings |
Nankeen Kestrels are widely spread and a common sight in inland NSW.
They were seen by us occasionally at our former place, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, from 2003 to 2006. One even had its roost under the roof of a shed for a while.
Seen also near Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park and in other parts of the slopes towards the Nandewar Range, including Eulah Creek, where there is a permanent population of Nankeen Kestrels, and even inside the township of Narrabri.
They were also seen by us on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008. Again seen far inland in October 2010.
Seen by us to hustle a raptor as powerful as a Whistling Kite.
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Photos |
Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here.
Frontal view of a male Nankeen Kestrel
Close-up lateral view of a male bird on a power pole
Dorsal view of a male bird
Near-frontal view of a female Nankeen Kestrel seen against a dark background, which makes its light colour stand out clearly
Close-up lateral view of a female Nankeen Kestrel on a fencepost
The same bird as above, now with its head turned
Lateral view of a female which was seen hunting off our power line
during the 2011/12 breeding season
Lateral view of a Nankeen Kestrel...
... now with its head turned
Pair of Nankeen Kestrels high up in a dead tree;
the male is the bird on the right, the female on the left
Lateral view of a Nankeen Kestrel in flight
Here a bird seen from underneath
Juvenile Nankeen Kestrel; note the heavy streaking on
its breast
This bird, seen in Sep. 2011, has a few peculiarities; it is by
far the darkest Nankeen Kestrel spotted by us and its legs are not
yellow; since it is also relatively tall, it is reminiscent of a
Brown Falcon;
however, the yellow cere and eyerings leave no doubt that it is in
fact a Nankeen Kestrel, possibly a juvenile female bird
The same bird as above, seen at a different angle
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Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Jul - Nov | Eggs: 3 - 4 | Incubation period: 28 - 29 days | Fledging age: 28 - 31 days |
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Nest |
| Type: Tree hollow* | Material: Wood dust | Height above ground: 5 - 20 m |
* Nankeen Kestrels usually build nests in tree hollows, but will also reuse disused stick nests (basket type) by other species. They are also known to nest in depressions in cliff holes and on rock ledges.
Two nosy little Nankeen Kestrels having a good look at the photographer
Female Nankeen Kestrel looking into its nesting hollow (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
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Eggs |
| Size: 37 x 30 mm | Colour: Light-brown, heavily speckled with darker brown/black/reddish speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
Like many other raptors, Nankeen Kestrels sometimes hunt hovering in updrafts on hill or mountain slopes. The photo below shows how the wings can be angled when there is too much air lift for a bird to fully extend them while maintaining position.
Nankeen Kestrel hovering in a strong updraft; this bird was seen
hunting next to its partner in the same updraft
Food
All raptors are carnivores. Nankeen Kestrels prey on small mammals, such as mice, and large insects, e.g. locusts.
Female Nankeen Kestrel with its prey, a small lizard
