kestel question

I live in Valencia, Spain and where I walk my dog there is what appears a young kestrel. I've seen s/he hover but mainly perch and glide hunting. This sounds daft but I think this kestrel recognises me. I usually make a repeat whistle when I see them and speak to them softly. Some days of course, they are nowhere to be found. 

The first time I started to think this bird is habituating to me was when it glidedpast me iinto a tree (the one in photos) I was standing close to...but perhaps coindence...

Anyway, I have been in the UK for a few days and today when I walked the dog...no kestrel...not unusual. Bit disappointed I headed home. I am then in a completely different piece of wild land  (campo - 5 minutes walk away) much closer to home/town and out of nowhere the kestrel appears. Flies right towards me and perches on a pylon beside me. I get to get my field glasses out to check, whistle and speak to her/him. They were clearly checking me out, before flying onto another pylon heading back in the direction of their normal fields on edge of village.

So questions:

1. am I delusional or can wild falcons build a 'relationship' with humans? I would swear this bird is acting socially towards me - at a distance of course - but that's twice it's flown directly into my space.

2. when do young kestrels show the change in plummage brown or grey head? This one is brown but is very confident and I'm not sure if there is a gender bias for 'boldness' or if this trait tends to be familial.

3. what is the average hunting range for a kestrel? Do they tend to stay in one area or move?

4. Do kestrels share hunting ground? There is another bird but I think it may be a buzzard in the same area...is this possible? This other bird, seems much more 'grumpy' and less interested in me. 

5. I know with birds of prey in captivity they are put in seclusion for a big moult, how does this work for wild birds? Does it happen over time? I found a lot of primary and secondary feathers. At first I thought it was a predator had caught a falcon/hawk - now I wonder if it was a moult? Can you pass on some links about this?

6. I've attached some photos of the feathers, some of the bird sitting on a tree anda couple of them in flight. Is this a kestrel? Sorry the photos aren't great - only on camera phone at a distance. 

Many thanks for any info for a total novice 

Smiles

A

  • The herons could be Purple Herons, which are indeed migratory, so more likely to be seen in groups.

  • that's really interesting. so feral pigeon's have red feathers??? Looks like someone got eaten then...

  • I am currently saving up as the pair are really interested in me and I could get some great shots if my camera was better Slight smile

  • more photos of alicia. Not sure what she caught - an insect of some sort I think

  • Bob I keep looking at your young kestrels - they are stunning - what a gorgeous photo. Do you have people ringing them in your area?

  • some other locals ....hoopoe, black redstrike, shrike (i think)

  • Would love to see a Hoopoe... County bird of Dorset apparently. There's a couple or 3 sightings here every year... None by me tho Disappointed Is the other not a black redstart, rather than shrike? Thanks for sharing your kestrel tales Smiley

  • this is Hoopoe-land. some days it feels like you can't move for them. They can be quite noisy when they are in the mood. I quite often see 3 of them hanging out together. Of course the days I set out to get some photos of them on masse, they are nowhere to be found...lol

    Yes, black redstart on wire - again a lot about. Nice wee birds, they can be quite curious and interactive. They hang out in the olive groves. The local magpie gang don't seem to like these trees so I think that's why they are happy there not being harassed. The other wee guy on the wire I think is a strike because he's got a black flash near his eye but you need to zoom in. (see more pics below - maybe a bit clearer). But honestly, I'm clueless - just using an app...

    ...which has also told me there are (as she brings up list) seen: robin (seen-very strange feeling seeing epitome of Xmas in full sunshine in spain), pied wagtails, wood pigeon, rock and collared doves a plenty, purple/grey heron, great tit, starlings spotless and common, blackbird (heard but never seen, seems to hang about with the starlings)....common and alpine swift - I'm assuming it is alpine because it has a white tummy - there were tonnes flying past august-september. flamingos (down near Torrevieja), a little egret (possibly) - landed on verge as we were driving past in car...

    Not actually seen but app says that's their song: sardian warbler (this is regularly picked up so I assume this is here), then others that are apparenlty here,  ...european stonechat, zitting cisticola, 

    Doubtful song identifications as all listed as uncommon - common linnet, crested lark, and Little Owl - the last definitely had a screech-hoot recorded but never seen any sign of an owl so maybe I'm not there early/late enough

    I can honestly say at the moment - the bigger the bird the more chance I have of seeing it lol - the wee guys are fast and ony those with more identifiable colouring I am able to spot.

    Maybe it gets easier with practice???

    Re: kestrels. yes my partner is becoming worried as I am becoming somewhat obsessed, but there is something very gratifying about these birds. Alicia in particular is very interested in me. When she isn't 'on task' she flies over, positions herself on a perch in front of me to have a good look. Reassuringly, she avoids landing near anyone else and will take off if anyone else comes too close - including my dog - so she doesn't seem to be habituating to humans per se, but just seems to have taken a fancy to me. Maybe breaks up her day - stretch, preen, poop, fly, pounce, scoff, watch weird woman ...lol

  • yes feral pigeons come in every colour from pure white, to rusty red, to brown, to almost black as they are the descendants of domesticated rock doves. your photos are lovely by the way, I particularly love the one of the black redstart. it would be lovely to have hoopoes as "common birds", I saw them in zimbabwe and I never got tired of their calls. the shrike looks to me like an iberian grey shrike. and I have to add that the scenery in the background of that hoopoe flying is gorgeous