Nankeen Kestrel

Falco cenchroides.

Also known as an Australian Kestrel, Windhover or Sparrowhawk.

This is one of the Falconry birds used in the display by Eslite d'Corps at the Abbey Medieval Tournament.

The European version of these small birds were used as training birds before moving on to Falcons.

View all photos taken: Saturday, 9th July 2011, This photo: 2:31pm

Comments

  • accesser said:
    Fantastic details & DOF
    Loved the display all such amazing birds
  • Clearskies Images said:
    Beautiful shot of this gorgeous little raptor!
  • David de Groot said:
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/accesser] Absolutely, glad they came back this year (last year was the first time the birds were there).
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/clearskiesimages] Very cute little fellow this one. :)
  • _mokai_ said:
    Nice shot.
  • allan_niels3n said:
    One amazing photo a day for the rest of the year just from Abbey? Looking forward to these each day now.
  • kth_friend said:
    gorgeous details...
    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
  • Kush Chadda said:
    wicked shot mate...excellent detail
  • looby88 said:
    very cute with its yellow feet and all that ! Dont like sparrowhawks etc in my garden though : (
  • Jordan Mulder said:
    beautiful bird Image!
  • Stephen M Reid said:
    Stunning bird
  • Karla Humphrey said:
    Syunning!!
  • David de Groot said:
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewkumler] Thanks!
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_nielsen] Well for a couple of weeks maybe. Not all the shots I took there were impressive enough for the general public. ;-)
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/kth_friend] Thanks - 'tisn't often that one gets close enough to shoot these guys full frame with a 70-200.
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikturesque] Thanks!
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/33085391@N00] I'd be quite happy to have these guys hanging around the garden, it's the occasional larger bird of prey that's the worry. The chooks don't like them one bit.
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/58349528@N02] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/smreid] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlahumphreys] Thanks!
  • Lockie Cooke said:
    If I was a chicken I wouldn't like a bird like that around my coop ! Ha, such a cool looking bird though. Love that bokeh and geez that's tack sharp !!
  • daBinsi said:
    Fantastic shot Dave!!!!
  • David de Groot said:
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/45912900@N06] True, but our chickens are about three times the size of this little lass. That's not to say a kestrel couldn't take 'em, but I'd me more worried about the Black-shouldered Kites, Pacific Baza and Wedge-tail Eagles we've seen around here than a wee Nankeen Kestrel.
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/dabinsi] Thanks!