Nankeen Kestrel

Description:

One of the smallest falcons. It's rufous or brown above and white or off-white below, with a black tail tip. Plumage varies considerably in detail, and some birds can look very scruffy, but the slim build, small size and distinctive straight-winged hovering habit make identification easy.

Habitat:

Sea cliff

Notes:

I found this bird with either a legless lizard or young brown snake in it's beak. Shortly after this photo was taken it's mate grabbed the food from it and flew into the cliff edge towards some screeching chicks. Unfortunately I couldn't see them. A local said she'd also seen them carrying young pigeon chicks to their nest.