QUICK FACT SHEET OF SOME BIRDS OF PREY

VIEW BIRDS OF PREY GALLERY

THE BIRDS

• Peregrine Faclon
• Kestrel
• Barn Owl
• Buzzard (Common)

PEREGRINE FALCON

The Peregrine Falcon is a medium-to-large sized raptor. They are an endangered species and faced near extinction as a result of pesticide accumulation in their diet of birds. However, captive breeding and persistent reintroduction programs have made their numbers rise to a steady level. They prey upon large populations of pigeon, starlings, and other urban songbirds which it attacks in flight stooping at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, the impact on its prey is usually lethal. The adult Peregrine is slate grey above and pale below. Its throat and breast are white to buff coloured. It has a banded tail. The females are much larger than the males.

KESTREL

The Kestrel is a falcon which can be found throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and North Africa. The Kestrel tends to hover around about 7-12 metres above the ground, while scanning the area for its prey which is usually a small as a beetle or worm. Kestrels are generally found around open countryside or Cultivated and Uncultivated land, Towns and Cities, but the most popular place to see a Kestrel is hovering alongside motorways and roads. Its breeding habit is one which does not require a nest, rather they nest in churches, hollow trees, buildings and woodland habitat, breeding during the period of April-June.

BARN OWL

A medium sized owl,  the Barn Owl has a white heart-shaped facial disc. Barn owls are extremely slender and has a magnificent coloured back cnsisting of golden feathers. Barn Owls typically hunt rodents in the open from a nearby perch, therefore Barn Owl like farmlands and fields where there are hedgerows or other hunting perches.The life expectancy of the Barn Owl is short (average life span is 2 years or less), therefore its reproductive rate is much higher than that of other owls, laying around 3 to 11 eggs. The number of eggs depends on the abundance of prey. The Barn Owl like the kestrel does not make its own nest, but uses barns, abandoned buildings, and hollow trees.

COMMON BUZZARD

The common buzzard can be found almost all over Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. The buzzards diet mainly consists of small mammals and prefers small woodland areas that are surrounded by marshland, meadows and heath in undulating terrains. Buzzards can generaly be seen flying and circlig in the thermals above treeless areas. the Buzzard breeds in the middle of March and only lays one clutch per year, laying between 2-4 eggs. The nest consists of sticks and twigs and lined with other available finer materials. The nest site can be situated in a tree or on a cliff ledge.