Tame Kestrel

[Ukwildlifeo]

Has anyone ever come across tame a kestrel(s)?

I came across my second ever one on Friday at Reculver. I approached what I thought was a wind blown collared dove (it was backlit by the sun to by credit!) which as I walked round it I realised was a kestrel. It took off but landed in a field were it ignored me and continued to eat worms when I slowly approached it. Got a few photos, including this one

[wildliferescuer]

Not sure that it's a tame one - it doesn't look 100% to me. I think it may be ill.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by wildliferescuer

Not sure that it's a tame one - it doesn't look 100% to me. I think it may be ill.

Its not the most flattering pic. I was hoofing down worms for a good 10mins before flying strongly up to the window sill of the castle (a good 10m up) in strong winds.

[willing to learn]

Originally Posted by wildliferescuer

Not sure that it's a tame one - it doesn't look 100% to me. I think it may be ill.

looks ill to me as well.
Regards
Colin

[sunnydale]

......still a good picture though

[Ukwildlifeo]

I feel I should explain - it looks hunched up but Ive probably caught as it was bringing its head up and ive moved at the wrong moment and its stopped and looked. Probaberly keeping down out of the winds as well

Or are there other signs that it is unwell?

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by sunnydale

......still a good picture though

Thanks I was beginning to wish I hadn't bothered posting it! beginning to sour what I thought was a brilliant wildlife experience now

[Pigeon feather]

The condition of the kestrel looks excellent, and you saw it fly well after so it can't be ill and as you say it was the shot that makes it look a little hunched at that point, the fact it was tame can be a sign of illness in wild birds but it is possible this bird was either hand reared or has been kept by people in the past, very nice photo in any case!

[willing to learn]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I feel I should explain - it looks hunched up but Ive probably caught as it was bringing its head up and ive moved at the wrong moment and its stopped and looked. Probaberly keeping down out of the winds as well

Or are there other signs that it is unwell?

Its not its body posistion for me, it looks ill in its eyes, still a good image though.
Regards
Colin

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I feel I should explain - it looks hunched up but Ive probably caught as it was bringing its head up and ive moved at the wrong moment and its stopped and looked. Probaberly keeping down out of the winds as well

Or are there other signs that it is unwell?

As you say UKwildlifeo, it could just be that this is a slightly unflattering photograph of the kestrel, who otherwise appears to be in lovely plumage.

However, I'd tend to agree with both Caroline and Colin, in that to me it also looks a bit off-colour, if not ill.

There's a puffiness of the breast feathers where they should be held sleakly against the body, and I agree with Colin that the look in the eyes is slightly distant and not as sharply attentive as might be expected, particularly of a well bird of prey.

Often the early indications of illness are quite subtle ... possibly unnoticably so to anyone who hasn't been in a position to be able to closely observe the behaviour and normal/unwell demeanours of a lot of birds over time ... but the best indicator by far that something isn't quite right is any sign that a wild bird is 'not bothered' or 'preoccipied' in your presence, and doesn't immediately fly off a safe distance upon your approach.

Perhaps if you could publish some of the other photos you took of it, they might help either assert or dispel our sense of unease over the health of the kestrel?