Description
The Lesser Kestrel is a slender, medium-sized bird of prey, characterized by light gray plumage in males and brown plumage in females and juveniles. Adults have a wingspan ranging from 97 to 122 cm, while their body length is approximately 40–50 cm. This species is known for its agile, low flight over open terrain, where it hunts small mammals, birds, and insects. It nests on the ground in open areas such as grasslands and cultivated fields, and its breeding season runs from May to July. The Montagu’s Harrier is a long-distance migrant, moving to central and southern Africa during the winter.
The Situation in Italian-Speaking Switzerland
In Italian-speaking Switzerland, the Lesser Kestrel is considered a rare migratory species. It is mainly sighted during the spring and fall migration periods in the canton’s open pastures and agricultural areas. The species does not nest in Ticino.
- Circus pygargus
- Busard cendré
- Wiesenweihe
- Sparvier gris
- Montagu's Harrier
- 43 cm
- 97–122 cm
