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Nankeen KestrelAlternative names: "Windhover", "Mosquito-hawk", "Sparrowhawk*" |
Sightings
Nankeen Kestrels are widely spread and a common sight in inland New South Wales.
They were seen occasionally at our former place, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales, 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.
Photos
Frontal view of a male Nankeen Kestrel (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a Nankeen Kestrel... (click on image for larger version)
... now with its head turned (click on image for larger version)
Male Nankeen Kestrel in a dead tree
Pair of Nankeen Kestrels high up in a dead tree spotted about 20 km south-west of Narrabri, New South Wales (click on image for larger version); the male is the bird on the right, the female on the left
Closer look at the female bird
Female Nankeen Kestrel with its prey, a small lizard; also seen by us to take locusts
Female Nankeen Kestrel now seen against a darker background, which makes its light colour stand out more clearly
Nankeen Kestrel in flight
Another view of a Nankeen Kestrel in flight (click on image for larger version)
Juvenile Nankeen Kestrel; note the heavy streaking on its breast (click on image for larger version)