The smallest of the native Falcon family, which includes the Merlin and the Peregrine, this dapper little bird of prey is known for animated bobbing of its head and tail. Kestrels eat a varied diet that includes a lot of insects in summer. These birds are cavity nesters and will use wooden nestboxes to raise their young. The eggs are laid in a shallow depression that is scraped out by the adults. The male Kestrel brings food to the nest, and the female feeds it to the young. (She also eats some if it herself!) The adult male has slate blue wing feathers. The female's wings are terra cotta colored. As you can see, hatchlings are covered with fuzzy white down.

The birds in these photos were brought to us in a weakened state. All regained their strength, and were fostered into Kestrel nests where they were reared by wild Kestrel parents.