Australian Kestrel
Falco cenchroides ‡
Sturt Highway, W Vic IMG_0540 20230530 - male.
Notes: AKA Nankeen Kestrel. Small, slim. Rufous
upperparts, pale buff underparts, bold
black subterminal tail-band.
Male: pale grey, dark-streaked crown; upperparts w. sparse
fine black shaft
streaks; rump, upper-tail powder grey, primaries black; cere, eye-ring,
legs
& feet yellow to blue-grey. Female: entire upperparts
rufous, black streaks broader, denser.
Juvenile: denser dark spots,
barred tail. In open habitats w. short grass. Generalist diet.
Range from Morcombe & Stewart©
Casuarina Camp, Wyperfeld NP, NW Vic IMG_6916 20241123 - female. CLICK for this bird in flight.
Rocky Tate River crossing, FN Qld IMG_0796 20210509 - male
Koonalda Cave, Nullarbor NP, SC SA IMG_3272 20181121 - juvenile x 2
Nautilus Building, Cairns North, FNE Qld IMG_3661 20231112 - female with Peaceful Dove prey. CLICK for action.
TK Shutter Res., Adelaide, SE SA IMG_1968 20241019 - male. CLICK for another pic showing hovering.
Moonstone Hill Resources Reserve, Lyndhurst, N Qld IMG_6121 20240914 - male. CLICK for him flying off.
Fishermans Lane, Norfolk Island IMG_4211 20200313 - juvenile, eating in flight
Chillagoe, FN Qld IMG_0567 20210507 - male w. fresh prey.
Kurunjie Track, Kimberley, NE WA + Lake Cooper, Corop, C Vic IMG_7926+8338 20180816+20190925 - immature (L)+ adult (R)
Fishermans Lane, Norfolk Island IMG_4223 20200313 - juvenile: barred tail.
Forrest Beach, N of Ingham, N Qld MVI_2240+2242 20180512 - juvenile: barred tail.
Chillagoe, FN Qld IMG_0569 20210507 - adult. Prey appears to be a Rainbow Bee-eater.