Ian yes, although picking an adult female kestrel from the juveniles is
not that easy, as they are similar. Juveniles are more spotted. I think
that John's suggestion of courtship feeding is more likely than
juveniles, on the basis of two things: time of year and, if it was a
juvenile I'd expect it to be described as more demanding of food than
this description. But these are just ideas.
Philip Veerman
24 Castley Circuit
Kambah ACT 2902
02 - 62314041
-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Fraser
Sent: Thursday, 6 August 2009 11:40 AM
Cc: 'COG Chatline'
Subject: Kestrel courting
Thanks John. It's worth noting that kestrels are pretty easy to sex.
Males have a grey crown and tail, females rufous crown and tail. Having
such things in mind can help us to interpret better such interactions.
Sadly most birds of prey aren't that co-operative, though size is a
pretty good indicator.
cheers
Ian
John Brannan wrote:
> At least, that's what I assume it was.
> While I was watching a perched Kestrel up at the Pinnacle in Hawker
> yesterday, another Kestrel flew up, calling loudly, with what looked
> like a dead mouse in its beak (no mean feat, I thought). It made a
> couple of passes through the tree before settling on a branch slightly
> below the first (female?) Kestrel. The first Kestrel then hopped down,
> took the proffered mouse and flew off downhill, followed a few seconds
> later by the other bird.
> Other interesting observations were A. Ravens and Yellow-rumped
> Thornbills nest building, Fuscous and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters,
> Speckled Warblers, Yellow Thornbills and a trio of Varied Sittellas.
> Interesting afternoon.
>
> John Brannan
>
>
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--
Ian Fraser,
Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Consultancy
GPO Box 3268, Canberra, ACT 2601
ph: 61 2 6249 1560
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