Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

A generally scarce bird in southern Europe and an extremely rare vagrant to the UK. Unlike (Common) Kestrel, this species nests colonially so in their breeding range if you see one you're as likely as not to see a flock.

Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06 Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06
Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06 Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06
Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06 Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06

adult male Lesser Kestrels, near Tacões (Alentejo, Portugal), 24th April 2006

 
Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06 Lesser Kestrel, Tacoes, 24-Apr-06

first-summer male Lesser Kestrel, near Tacões (Alentejo, Portugal), 24th April 2006

 

part of a flock of 12 Lesser Kestrels, near Tacões (Alentejo, Portugal), 24th April 2006

 
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10
Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10 Lesser Kestrel, Esmekaya, 21-May-10

Lesser Kestrels, Esmekaya (Turkey), 21st May 2010