Kestrel call (description only) - Spain, today (1 Viewer)

[Sangahyando]

Hello,

I just saw two Kestrels in Salamanca (NE/Central Spain) making (several) two-part calls that sounded like "ki-chik" (kind of like an oversized wagtail). I've never heard this call from Common Kestrel, or from any other falcon I can recall. Are they Lesser Kestrels? According to xeno-canto, they should be, but I'm unsure about the variation in Common Kestrels here.

I'll try to get some recording or closer look and post it later.

 

[lou salomon]

sounds like lesser kestrel from the description.

 

[Iraq Babbler]

Hello

This quoted from my master thesis on LK in northern Iraq and I see what you have heard: "Males with prey was heard with lowed di – or tri syllabic calls in systematic rhythm", So I would agree of what you have heard are Lesser Kestrels, However, the sound record will prove or refute.

Omar

 

[Sangahyando]

Thanks guys, unfortunately I haven't been able to spot them again so far. They seem to be appearing sporadically, or maybe they're just out hunting in the field. Saw one yesterday (and took unidentifiable photos of it) but there was no way of telling which species, so I assumed Common Kestrel. Maybe over the next few days, I'll have more luck with getting a picture or record.

 

[rosbifs]

Lesser are migrating so unlikely to kick around. That said don't know how far south you are....

 

[Sangahyando]

Southern part of Castilla y León, near northern Portugal. There's currently an armada of Pied Flycatchers around, so migration is definitely underway, but I couldn't find information about the approximate migration dates for Lesser Kestrels. For some reason, the Collins guide and other books are not very informative in this regard.

 

[rosbifs]

I believe in France the main departure date is mid September. I know that there are usually none when I get to the med at the start of October....

 

[Bert]

We saw several lesser Kestrels yesterday on the steppes of the Alentejo region in Portugal.

 

[Sangahyando]

Now with photos

I've finally managed to take a few pictures of one of the kestrels (in the exact same place). His wings seemed to be rather light from below and all in all, I think this looks good for Lesser Kestrel. The second picture shows a pigeon that is apparently making a somewhat abrupt evasive maneuvre, unfortunately this was a snapshot so it's kind of blurred, nevertheless some details on the kestrel should be visible.
If anybody could confirm this, I would be most grateful.

 

[tconzemi]

Lesser on wing formula alone
whitish throat, body color and whitish wings also good

 

[Sangahyando]

Thanks a lot. That's a lifer and a relatively rare one, too.