My girlfriend has noticed a kestrel in a local park (Mountsfield Park, Lewisham, London) that seems to be abnormally tolerant of humans. For two days it has been present on low branches, feeding on insects and allowing her to approach within just a few metres. Should we be worried that it may be unwell?She was able to approach close enough to take these pictures with just a compact camera.Many thanks for any advice,Philip
Hi Philip
Welcome to the forums. The bird in your pictures looks perfectly healthy, and I have no reason to suspect it would be unwell, especially as it has been happily feeding. I can't see the legs clearly enough on the pictures - was there any rings or even jessies on the legs to indicate captive origin?
I used to ' know ' a kestrel, such as you describe, who would eat it's prey quite close to people and was always thought to be an 'escapee' by all the locals.
I wouldn't worry because there is probably nothing you can do even if it is unwell.
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
Hello Philip and welcome to the forum,
Sorry, but I can't open the link. It tells me it has expired.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Same for me so cant answer sorry
dont just look enjoy and leave for others to share after you. we dont own the earth we just rent a small part of it....
Thanks for all your reassuring comments.
I think I've fixed the link to the photos now.
Hi Phil and welcome to the RSPB Forum
I think it is one of the birds that has become 'unusually' accustomed to humans
Maybe there has been a history of people taking care of it in captivity at one point so it is used to people and does not have a inbuilt fear any longer.
The main thing as long as it is healthy and happy that is what counts,
Lovely pictures by the way.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
I wouldn't be overly concerned as long as the bird is healthy, while this can indicate they have been in captivity, it could just be a case that the kestrel is just used to people being around and has started to just ignore them to focus on catching it's dinner, same as many other birds in areas where there are lots of people coming and going.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Hi Philip,
I agree with everyone else, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with her. She seems healthy and alert thankfully, so maybe she has just grown used to humans which I'd imagine would be quite unusual for a Bird of Prey unless they've been handled at some point.
Thanks again everyone, she was in the same place today for a fourth day running, catching worms this time.