Lady common kestrel on pine top, Bhutan

The common kestrel is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called “the kestrel”. Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives. The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage. When hunting, the common kestrel […]

Bay backed shrike on lantana

Prey may be impaled upon a sharp point, such as a thorn. Thus secured they can be ripped with the strong hooked bill, but its feet are not suited for tearing. It is smallish shrike at 17 cm, maroon-brown above with a pale rump and long black tail with white edges.Shrikes are great posers as they perch right at the end of the twig but are very skittish as mostly they will fly away even when approached carefully.

Bay backed Shrike, Bangalore

Prey may be impaled upon a sharp point, such as a thorn. Thus secured they can be ripped with the strong hooked bill, but its feet are not suited for tearing. It is smallish shrike at 17 cm, maroon-brown above with a pale rump and long black tail with white edges.Shrikes are great posers as they perch right at the end of the twig but are very skittish as mostly they will fly away even when approached carefully.

Common Kestrel, Bangalore

  One of my favourite raptors and easily seen in the grasslands every winter. Much like the black-shouldered kite they also hover to catch the prey. They are also a part of the falcon family.

Lady Kestrel, Bangalore

  One of my favorite raptors that you could easily spot in the winters alon the grasslands across the country.A little far away image but loved the setting.