A Family of Kestrels is Killing Songbirds in My Courtyard
...and I'm kind of loving it
and I’m loving it.
Ok, so I’m not actually loving the bird dismemberment. I live in a small city apartment with my family, and the little oasis I’ve set up behind a tree in the courtyard is an important place of refuge for me.
However, it’s a bit difficult to read, write and meditate there when you know you’re likely to stumble across a random songbird leg (three so far), bird carcasses/bones (several) or a bloody wing (one).
Yep, the kestrel babies are fledging again, just like they did last year, and they’re getting messy with their scraps. These youngster birds of prey have started flying now, but they are still clumsy whenever they land on a branch, flapping their wings to gain their balance.
They’re also driving me a little crazy while I work in my “office” (aka the family living room) as they are constantly calling out for their parents for food. Their parents, however, are definitely over it.
I can relate. I have two teenage daughters. One of them was recently standing in the kitchen.
Daughter in kitchen: “Mom! I’m hungry. Can you make me some toast.”
Me at my desk in the office/living room: “Let me get this straight. You want to get up from my chair to put toast in the toaster when you are literally standing next to the toaster and the bread is just three steps away?”
The answer, of course, was yes.
I feel for you, kestrel mom and dad!
Since I am most definitely a bird nerd and a fan of backyard flora and fauna, I’ve gathered some kestrel facts to add to this part of the post.
Five facts about kestrels
Diet
Kestrels are adept hunters, chowing down on everything from insects like grasshoppers and dragon flies, small mammals and birds (this one I know…). They are particularly fond of voles and mice. I’ve seen plenty of the latter in our courtyard, lucky them (the birds that is, not the mice!)
This versatility in diet helps kestrels thrive in diverse habitats, from open fields to urban environments.
Masters of Hovering
One of the most distinctive behaviors of kestrels is their ability to hover mid-air while hunting. This skill, known as “kiting,” allows them to stay almost stationary, watching the ground below for movement.
By rapidly beating their wings and adjusting their tail feathers, kestrels can maintain their position against the wind, giving them the perfect vantage point to spot prey. This remarkable hunting strategy not only sets them apart from other birds of prey but also showcases their incredible agility and control in flight.
The clumsy babies (two of them) aren’t quite there yet, but they will be soon.
Home Sweet Home
Kestrels are lazy when it comes to nest building. Why build when you can just move into what’s already there? The pair in my courtyard nested in wood pigeon nest that became empty when their babies fledged earlier in the spring (like I said, I’m a bird nerd).
Besides taking over the nests of other birds, they also nest in cavities in trees, cliffs or buildings.
During the breeding season, the female typically lays 3 to 6 eggs, which she incubates for about a month. The male provides food for the female during this period, ensuring she can focus on keeping the eggs warm.
My pair has only two fledglings, so most likely there were a few in the batch that didn’t make it.
From Fledglings to Fierce Hunters
Once the eggs hatch, both parents take an active role in feeding the chicks. The young kestrels grow rapidly, and within a month, they are ready to leave the nest.
Wow, that’s fast actually.
The fledglings spend several weeks honing their hunting skills, often practicing by catching insects and small prey. During this time, they continue to rely on their parents for food and guidance until they are proficient enough to hunt independently.
And they scream for mom and dad.
A lot.
Guys and gals
Kestrels exhibit sexual dimorphism — males and females have distinct plumage. Males typically sporting bluish-gray wings and a rufous back, like the one above.
Females have more uniformly brown feathers with black barring. This difference in appearance is rare among raptors and makes it easy to tell them apart.
So far, the two babies look female, but they might be because of their age.
Ok, that’s enough from the bird nerd report. Any interesting birds nesting in your backyard? If so, do tell!