Wildlifeof China
Lesser Kestrel
Birds of Prey
Photo: (c) egorbirder, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0
Falco naumanni
Basic stats
Diet
Small mammals, especially voles; also rabbits, birds, bats, reptiles, frogs, insects, worms, fish, and crabs
Habitat
Open grassland, scrub, farmland, rocky slopes, gorges, ravines, and highland agricultural country
Range
Breeds in Europe and northern Asia and winters in sub-Saharan Africa
Clutch size
1–7 eggs; normally 4–6
Incubation period
28–31 days
Size
30–36 cm
Wingspan
Not reported by ADW
Weight
Not reported by ADW
The lesser kestrel breeds through Europe and northern Asia between approximately 30 and 50 degrees north and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for winter. It occupies grassland, scrub, open woodland, and cultivation, nesting around mountain slopes, gorges, ravines, and other rocky terrain beside open hunting areas. Wintering concentrations occur on highland farmland and grassy plains. Adults measure 30–36 cm and possess long pointed wings and a long tail. Males and females differ strongly in color and pattern. (Animal Diversity Web)
Although small mammals—especially voles—are important prey, lesser kestrels take a remarkably broad range of animals, including birds, bats, rabbits, lizards, snakes, frogs, insects, worms, fish, and crabs. They hunt from perches or the air and adjust their method to local prey. Colonies may contain up to one hundred pairs. Eggs are placed in a scraped depression rather than a constructed nest. Clutches range from one to seven eggs, normally four to six, and incubation lasts 28–31 days. (Animal Diversity Web)
Quick answers
- What does the Lesser Kestrel eat?
- Small mammals, especially voles; also rabbits, birds, bats, reptiles, frogs, insects, worms, fish, and crabs
- What habitat does the Lesser Kestrel live in?
- Open grassland, scrub, farmland, rocky slopes, gorges, ravines, and highland agricultural country
- Where is the Lesser Kestrel found?
- Breeds in Europe and northern Asia and winters in sub-Saharan Africa
- How many eggs does the Lesser Kestrel lay?
- 1–7 eggs; normally 4–6
- How long are the eggs of the Lesser Kestrel incubated?
- 28–31 days
- How big is the Lesser Kestrel?
- 30–36 cm
- What is the wingspan of the Lesser Kestrel?
- Not reported by ADW
- How much does the Lesser Kestrel weigh?
- Not reported by ADW