Stories · Lebanon

Eurasian Kestrel Story

Wildlife Photography Lebanon

  • Falco tinnunculus
  • 8 weeks · 29 Mar – 23 May 2024
  • 4 eggs · 4 hatched

We were monitoring a pair of Eurasian Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) as we discovered their nest and started on our journey documenting the process from eggs to fledglings.

THE END

Before you look

Ethical nest photography

Bird's nest photography requires extreme sensitivity as it is protected and forbidden in many countries. Alerting, stressing, or threatening the birds can lead them to abandon their nests.

Never

Approaching the nest, installing cameras inside, and leaving human-made equipment is prohibited.

Ethical nest photography necessitates maintaining a significant distance with minimal disturbance. If there are any signs of the birds being uncomfortable, it's imperative to immediately and slowly withdraw from the location.

Rules of engagement

  1. Don't treat the spot as if it's yours; we are the visitors and should keep to ourselves.
  2. Don't overstay; make it short trips, 2 hours after sunrise maximum.
  3. Avoid sudden movements of the lens, even if they are flying close by; don't chase them with your camera.
  4. Weekly trips (once a week) to follow the progress will be enough.
  5. Do it alone, to avoid unnecessary movements in the car.
  6. Read about your subjects to anticipate their moves and what will happen next.
  7. Keep the project to yourself, people strangely act like monkeys when it's critical.

Male and female comparison

Male and female Eurasian Kestrels are easy to tell apart once you know where to look: the head and the tail. Tap each to compare.

Behind the story

Questions about the kestrels

01Details about the Eurasian Kestrel
Nesting sites
Eurasian kestrels typically nest in cavities or on ledges, often choosing locations such as cliffs, buildings, old nests of other birds, or even tree hollows. They may also use nest boxes provided by conservation efforts.
Pair bonding
Once a pair forms, they establish a bond that lasts throughout the breeding season. They often engage in mutual grooming and share responsibilities in preparing the nest.
Egg laying
The female lays a clutch of eggs, typically ranging from 3 to 7 eggs, with the number depending on factors like food availability. The eggs are usually laid at intervals of about one to two days.
Incubation
The female is primarily responsible for incubating the eggs, which usually lasts around 4 weeks. During this time, the male provides food for the female.
Hatching and nestling care
After hatching, both parents participate in feeding and caring for the young. The chicks are altricial, meaning they are born in a relatively undeveloped state and require extensive care from their parents.
Fledging
The young kestrels fledge the nest approximately 4 to 5 weeks after hatching. However, they may continue to depend on their parents for food and protection for some time after leaving the nest as they learn to hunt and become independent.
Post-breeding season
After the breeding season, Eurasian kestrels may disperse from their breeding territories, particularly young individuals. They may also undergo molt during this time to replace worn feathers.
02From egg to adult
  1. Egg

    The initial stage of bird development begins with the egg. Fertilized eggs contain an embryo, which develops into a chick under the right conditions (proper temperature, humidity, and incubation). The eggshell provides protection and nutrients to the developing embryo.

  2. Embryo

    Inside the egg, the embryo develops over a period of time, usually ranging from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the species of bird. During this stage, the embryo forms organs, tissues, and develops recognizable features such as limbs, beak, and feathers.

  3. HatchingWeek 4 in this story

    Once the embryo has fully developed, the chick begins to hatch by breaking through the eggshell using its egg tooth, a small projection on the tip of its beak. Hatching can take several hours to a day, and the chick emerges from the eggshell.

  4. NestlingWeeks 5–6

    After hatching, the newborn bird is called a nestling. Nestlings are typically naked or covered in down feathers and are entirely dependent on their parents for warmth, food, and protection. During this stage, the parents feed the chicks a diet of regurgitated food.

  5. FledglingWeeks 7–8

    As nestlings grow, they develop feathers and become fledglings. Fledglings are still dependent on their parents for food but are more active and may leave the nest, hopping around on nearby branches or on the ground while learning to fly. They continue to be fed by their parents during this stage.

  6. Juvenile

    Once the bird has mastered flying and is fully independent of its parents for food, it enters the juvenile stage. Juvenile birds often resemble adults but may have different plumage patterns or colors. They continue to develop and refine their flying and foraging skills during this time.

  7. Subadult

    The subadult stage is an intermediary stage between juvenile and adult in some bird species. This stage occurs after the bird has fledged and left the nest but before it reaches full maturity.

  8. Adult

    Finally, the bird reaches adulthood. It has developed its adult plumage and is capable of reproducing. Adult birds may migrate, establish territories, and engage in courtship behaviors to find mates and reproduce, thus completing the life cycle.

03Telling male and female apart

Male

Grey head

Blue-grey feathers on the head and tail, chestnut-brown feathers on the back.

Clear grey tail

An all grey tail with a deep black band at its base.

Female

Brown head

The female's feathers are brown.

Bars on the tail

An adult female sports dark bars across its tail.

04The process

After thoroughly scouting the location and testing various shooting spots, I've confirmed the feasibility of the documentary project. The location is conveniently accessible by car and offers favorable lighting conditions, enabling us to capture shots at eye level or lower for optimal perspective and exposure to natural light.

In researching the Common Kestrel, it's evident that we'll have approximately two months for shooting, with planned weekly visits providing ample time to document each step of the process.

  • About 2 months
  • One visit a week
  • Eye level or lower
  • Natural light
05Rules of engagement

The full rules are in the note.

Keep exploring

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