Kestrel; Cernícalo Vulgar

Description:

Male. Pigeon-sized, long-winged, daytime hunter most often seen perched on telegraph poles or wires or hovering over roadsides, as if suspended on a string. Unlike Sparrowhawks, there is relatively little difference in size between the sexes, but much more in pattern: the male has a bluish grey head and redbrown upperparts while the female has a brown head and tail. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Nest on bare ledges on cliffs, in quarries, derelict buildings, high window-ledges, disused crows’ nests or tree holes; 4–6 eggs; 1 brood; March–July. It catches small mammals, especially voles, and also beetles, lizards, earthworms, and small birds.

Habitat:

Open meadows close to the sea shore

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec.; f/13; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: +2 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash