(delhibirdpix) Lesser Kestrel??? - Pune

Hey Guys,

I saw this falcon on 10-12-2010 very early in the morning through dense fog. It was very small in size and continuously flew upwards over the hills(semi-evergreen habitat just before the western ghats) without circling back or soaring even once. The flight looked typically falcon-like but was slower and taking more effort(which I assumed was due to the foggy air). I could only manage a few distant record shots. On field I observed a uniform orangish belly/thigh too.

I have referred these images to Dr. Pranay Rao. His comments were as follows:-

"Yes, this is a small falcon; small falcons known to winter, pass and reside in India are: Eurasian Hobby, Oriental Hobby, Amur Falcon, Sooty Falcon (very rare), Eurasian Merlin, Red Headed Merlin, Common Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel. The first 4 are long-winged and relatively short-tailed species, while the later 4 are long-tailed and relatively shorter winged (typo of tailed corrected from original reply) species. Your bird has a longer tail, so it is one of the later 4 of the aforementioned species. It sure isn't any of the merlins. It does surely look like a kestrel. Looks like a male kestrel, as I just see a greyish tinge on the head. Since you mention that the underparts were uniform rufous/orangish, and also since the undersides of the flight feathers look unbarred and also because of the slightly longer-winged appearence (compared to Common Kestrel), I'll go with an adult male Lesser Kestrel, but I'm not a 100% sure. But I'm sure it is a kestrel."

 

Mr. Rajneesh Suvarna pointed out the moustachial stripe seen in a couple of images which we were not the lesser kestrel has. On confirming with Dr. Rao, he said

"As I said in my earlier mail, I am not a 100% that it is a Lesser Kestrel, but more than a 100% sure that it is a kestrel.... never said it cannot be a Common Kestrel. Yes, even I too can see a clear moustachial stripe, and yes, they (lessers) do have show a stripe. Some adult males a very faint one and some with almost without one. Females and juveniles are like common kestrels, as far as the moustachial stripe is concerned."

He also attached some images showing male lesser kestrels with moustachial stripes(which I guess I'm not allowed to share here because they are off the net). Would really like to know your opinions on this as well.

-Regards,
Rohan

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