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Wildlife
AustralianWildlife
Possums in the Roof
Introduced Species
Wildlife Case Studies
Australian (Nankeen) Kestral
Fairy Prion
Peregrine Falcon
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Case Studies
Australian (Nankeen) Kestral
The kestrel is one of the smallest, most common bird of prey. It inhabits both city and open grassland areas all over Australia . Typical of most falcons, it is identified by it's long wings, narrow tail and swift, accurate flight. The bird is traditionally called Nankeen Kestrel due to its characteristic buff brown colour resembling a cloth imported from Nanking . Their size ranges from 30 - 35 cm, the female being slightly larger than the male.
While most falcons diet on birds, the kestrel feeds primarily on insects and small rodents. City dwelling birds hunt mice around garbage areas whereas their country companions hunt large insects and reptiles. It is an excellent hunter with eyes that can detect the movement of an insect in grass at a great distance. The kestrels are often seen swooping on a prey from its perch, or hovering along the road watching for prey. This hovering pattern is unique among most birds, including raptors. It allows the kestrels movement to be fast and precise yet allows the bird to stop, and therefore use the flight to its fullest advantage.
Kestrels are often seen in Melbourne , particularly around winter where they come into the cities to breed. They are often seen sitting along power lines watching the grass below for prey. Kestrels come into us if they are injured, usually by cars, or sometimes due to exhaustion and weight loss when the hunting is poor. One was brought into Lort Smith recently from Yarraville. We believe that this bird had flown into something, maybe a car.
These birds are often injured by cars. Possibly they are intent on what they are hunting and do not see the car. The birds are traveling at high speed. This means the driver usually does not see the bird either. This bird came to us with a mark on the beak and a bleeding right eyelid. The eye itself appeared normal but the lid was terribly swollen so an injury to the eye could not completely be ruled out. The bird was also dazed and appeared severally concussed. No further injuries were noted.
We immediately contacted a wildlife carer that specializes in birds of prey. She said she would come straight in to pick it up. The bird was given cortisone to combat the concussion, and was kept warm and quiet. The carer identified the kestrel as an adult male. She said she would take it home and feed it and place it in a specially built heated nest box. Only time would tell with the concussion. Raptors require excellent vision in both eyes so should the eye turn out not to be functional then he would have to be euthanased. Unfortunately for us we have little feed back and we don't know if this bird survived.
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FAIRY PRION
We have had the fortune of examining two adult Fairy Prions that were washed ashore in a large storm. Generally these birds are deep-sea birds that rarely come to land. The Fairy Prion is the only Prion to breed in Australian waters. It is classified as vulnerable (one step away from rare). Introduced rats and feral cats attack chicks in their burrows causing a decline in population size every year. Prions cannot live on land, even for a short term as they eat, urinate and defecate in the water. In captivity they must be released within 24 hours of capture or they will die.
On both occasions these birds have been brought in presumed injured as they would not fly away. We have discovered this is untrue - they cannot take off from land, but need to be put back into the water where they can fly effectively. Even a sink in our consulting rooms is enough encouragement for them to take off.
The first Prion was released successfully on the day it was brought in to us. The second unfortunately succumbed to stress and died in the hospital.
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PEREGRINE FALCON
The Peregrine falcon is a bird of prey that exists (although is not common) on all continents of the world except Antarctica . Their morphology varies globally, but generally they are a crow-sized bird with a grey-blue back, facemask and moustache. They characteristically have a banded pale underside and a bright yellow eye ring and talons. The female is much larger than the male. Juveniles have vertical chest bars rather than horizontal like their parents.
Peregrines typically nest on cliff faces, but in Australia they frequently use trees, quarries and even man-made structures. Females lay eggs in August / September, and incubation occurs for 32 days. Nesting success varies considerably, due to predation, or nest choice; and between seasons, depending on rainfall. Generally the female is on the nest for most of the nesting phase (approx. 6 weeks). Throughout this time the male hunts for the family, although as the young mature the female also hunts.
Peregrines feed almost exclusively on birds, and only occasionally on small mammals, reptiles and fish. Prey selection varies with local populations - on the coast their diet is predominantly seabirds, in the cities pigeons and starlings are the main prey.
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