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Kestrel on the hunt

Kestrel on the hunt

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Mark Billiau.


Premium (World), region Antwerp, Belgium

Kestrel on the hunt

The kestrel is a bird of prey that is widespread all over European lowlands.
It prefers open habitat such as fields, heaths, shrubland and marshland to hunt for its prey which consists mainly of mice.

My shot illustrates its typical hunting behaviour which is to hover with the wings going fast up and down at a height of around 10–20 metres over open country and swoop down on prey.

Like most birds of prey, kestrels have keen eyesight enabling them to spot small prey from a distance. They also have the ability to detect an urine trace of a prey from a great height !
Once the prey is sighted, the bird makes a short, steep dive toward the target.

Dutch name : Torenvalk
German name : Turmfalke
Latin name : Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus

Kestrel in full flight
Kestrel in full flight
Mark Billiau.

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