The spring awakening of the kestrel

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Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
24 March 2023 Friday 04:44
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The spring awakening of the kestrel

* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia

The kestrel can already be seen after many days in the nests, as can be seen in this photograph taken in the early stages of spring in Mijas, in Malaga.

The kestrel, which in the image keeps vigilant at the top of the tree, is a bird of prey by day and easy to observe. It prefers an open field and scrub habitat.

The kestrel is relatively small compared to other raptors, but larger than most birds. It has long russet wings with black spots, as well as a very distinctive long tail, gray above and rounded at a black edge.

Kestrels nest in cracks in rocks or buildings, in tree holes, they occupy nests of corvids and other birds, but also directly on the ground.

When hunting, the kestrel remains in a stationary flight, almost immobile, between 10 and 20 meters above the ground, waiting to spot some prey and, when it appears, it plunges towards it.