Kestrel/Rabbit

[KeithGlasgow]

Not wishing to be in the slightest controversial, but can Kestrels take adult rabbits or even half sized rabbits - I had thought not, but maybe I'm wrong;


http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=72684

thanks,
Keith.

[Graham Stuart]

Persosally mate i think the rabbit in question must have been road kill:yawinkle:or mixied up , i cant see a Kes even trying to take on a baby bunny never mind an adult bunny they just dont have the strength to kill it...me thinks someone is taking the ****.......graham

[DeathFromAbove]

I'm inclined to agree with you Barney mate - kessy taking on a full size rabbit, or even a half sized one would be fighting way out of it's weight range. I dare say it 'might' be possible depending on certain circumstances (i.e. mixy etc...)... but highly unlikely IMO. It's wouldn't have the strength or weight to be able to hold it down to subdue it for a start, all you'd see is a rabbit running around with a kestrel stuck to it's neck/back like a jokey hehehe

[Skeld]

Someone is having a laugh! Anyway I'm off with my kestrel to hawk some deer!

[FlameHairedFalconer]

If kestrels could catch rabbits we'd all have one!

A male kestrel will weigh around 5-6oz and a female kestrel around 9-10oz

A fully grown rabbit will weigh lbs.....honestly given this weight ratio do you think a wild kestrel can grab and hold a rabbit? Why would it want to, when it can catch a 3oz vole? Falconry birds are different - they have the falconer to help them, and give them confidence to take large prey species than they would normally take in the wild.

I suspect that those who think they have seen a kestrel on a rabbit have acutally seen another bird of prey (buzzard/gos).

There is no reason why a wild kestrel would not be living in this womans garden. According to recent reports due to the weather this year there has been a reduction in the number of voles available and kestrels have taken to catching more birds instead. If she is feeding garden birds the kestrel may be using her garden as a guaranteed food source.

FHF

[MarkOfReading]

Yes would be very suprised if a kessy would be brave enough - but then again they are brave enough to buzz my female harris. Did have another FH that liked the taste of kestrel though

[BlackShaheen1]

without a doubt it is impossible for a kessi to take a rabbit . it may feed on a already dead one as i have seen this bifor .but for someone to say that they have seen it is total popycock

[Lascelles]

I've seen a Kestrel pulling at a frozen rabbit carcase in the middle of winter.
Obv. very hungry & desperate for anything it could find in deep snow.
Might have looked as though it had "caught it" to the untrained eye?

[KeithGlasgow]

Thanks for reassuring me - I was beginning to think I had missed something,

Keith.

[Hhaawwkkeerr]

I have looked at the video grab mentioned on the other forum.The bird is certainly a male kestrel.But how it got close to a "normal/live" rabbit is still doubtful.The original poster was quite vague on the details.

[Graham Stuart]

You wont believe what i just saw out the window...and i managed to get a pic:yawinkle:

[Miliscer]

While I would agree about Kestral's taking Rabbit, here is a picture of a Kestral and a cock pheasant, the cock bird was walking down the road (minding his own business) when the Female KEstral dropped from the tree and killed it stone dead.

She was unable to move it, so filled her crop there and went back up in to the tree above.

Sorry for poor picture, I was a long way off!

Mike


http://www.nobs.org.uk/kes.jpg

[Rossi_Hawker]

then he saw a pig flyin by too lol

[KeithGlasgow]

The critter in these photos is better suited for rabbits!

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=72797

thanks,
Keith.

[PitBullOne]

surely you should ask craig david i beleive he flies one,bo

[HaydnAndMoe]

I would be very Surprised if someone,somewhere,didnt come out with the statement,I had one once that did ,you always get the one somewhere

[DeathFromAbove]

I once had a pygmy falcon that took down a heron ya know!!! .... :lol: :lol: got up so much speed that it flew straight through the heron mid flight like a bullet... amazing.
:gib:

[KeithGlasgow]

It gets better, as the thread develops;

"in the wild its amazing fact that kestrels have taken brown hare, red and grey squirrel, mole, rat, moorhen, coot, wood pigeon, little owl, teal and pheasnt thanks js"

thanks,
Keith.

[GregMik]

I don't know what all you nay says are talkin about....everybody knows that kestrels take bunnies!!!:lol: 8-)

[Hound]

thats nothing i,ve seen one take a full size bull and not only that it carried it off. it was last sunday lunch time on the way back from the pub

[Rex06]

I also don't believe a kestrel can kill a rabbit.
but my kestrel was tethered in the garden a time ago on his block
and i had a rabbit (wild one) in the garden that i could NOT catch (had nothing acept a kestrel availeble those days). so he was siting there calm, as the rabbit sprinted past the kestrel (cause i was coming from inside the house) it ren passed the kes; and what did the kes do ?
he wanted to fly after it he really was quick and pulled off.(but tethered...)
maybe lucky for me he was tethered :) :supz: i couldn't believe it.
my kestrel just flying loose, wanting to go after a medium sized rabbit? wtf

and a time ago i trew in an alive pigeon in the aviary and yes he caught it and the pigeon was dead within 30 sec without my help. i think is was a PURE LUCKY shot. i was anyway going in after it to help the kes killing it but that was unnesecary.

now there are 2 possibilety's the kes had a lucky one and the rabbit died cause of the shock (kes bombing down fast) but still than would the rabbnit NOT be dead.

nr2 : the kes hit the rabbits both eyes (blinded) and it ran itself to dead against a tree but that is also would be great luck for the kes.:lol:

[Dayo]

my f kestal 2lb4oz often catches blue hares but tends to struggle with the brown ones just a bit too big any way hope to post some videos on here soon. got her takin a hare on the move at full chat, dived down and just kept on flying straight back to the fist with the bloody thing and she necked it and gutted it but struggled getting it in the freezer.

but seriously check out that ak thread of the little ****** nailing starlings allday long kesys just went way up in my estimations.

[Yeoman]

Not wishing to be in the slightest controversial, but can Kestrels take adult rabbits or even half sized rabbits - I had thought not, but maybe I'm wrong;


http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=72684

thanks,
Keith.

100% no, on both counts .

[Mac]

no way in hell!

[Leo 1]

Not wishing to be in the slightest controversial, but can Kestrels take adult rabbits or even half sized rabbits - I had thought not, but maybe I'm wrong;


http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=72684

thanks,
Keith.

no chans in hell that a kezi will chat a rabbit

[Claire]

no chans in hell that a kezi will chat a rabbit
oh I dont know tigg I think my kessie could chat a rabbit to death :lol::roll::rolleyes:

[Leo 1]

oh I dont know tigg I think my kessie could chat a rabbit to death :lol::roll::rolleyes:
pmsl

[Alf]

Well if this is true?:rolleyes: :lol:
Imagine what a kes/pere hybrid would take? :yawinkle:

[Java Falconer]

Guinea Pigs perhaps they can tackle, but rabbits not a chance ;)

[Mikey]

You all should go have a read on that twitchers site! Man!! they're all flamin mad.And it's no wonder we falconers/austringers cop so much **** from some ill advised numpties!!
They harping on about eagle owls killing off barn owls a their staple diet...peregrines going into decline cos they co habit the same areas as eagle owls etc,etc ....LOONIES

[KeithGlasgow]

You all should go have a read on that twitchers site! Man!! they're all flamin mad.And it's no wonder we falconers/austringers cop so much **** from some ill advised numpties!!
They harping on about eagle owls killing off barn owls a their staple diet...peregrines going into decline cos they co habit the same areas as eagle owls etc,etc ....LOONIES


What's your thoughts on this statement (re. Kestrels) by someone called Mikeythehawk....

"He may even take scraps from the bird table if you have one"


Keith.

[Ben C]

He is a KNOB JOCKEY.

[KeithGlasgow]

You all should go have a read on that twitchers site! Man!! they're all flamin mad.And it's no wonder we falconers/austringers cop so much **** from some ill advised numpties!!
They harping on about eagle owls killing off barn owls a their staple diet...peregrines going into decline cos they co habit the same areas as eagle owls etc,etc ....LOONIES

Mikey, just for the record, they're not all loonies. Like any other forum (this one included) Birdforum attracts a wide cross-section of society, and yes, loonies are fairly well represented there. However, there are also a fair number of first-class Ornithologists among their ranks, many of whom in the past have gone to great lengths and trouble to help and advise, and share their knowledge and experience with folk like myself who are still learning.

Some of them don't even practice falconry, and yet I respect and appreciate them;)

Just as on Falconryforum, there are certain members who are a constant source of knowledge and help, and you soon learn to separate the men from the boys.

Btw, that falconer 'Mikeythehawk' who recently joined Birdforum to try and straighten things out, seems to be getting a right hard time from the loonies at the moment;)

Keith.

[Freddie1]

Someone is having a laugh! Anyway I'm off with my kestrel to hawk some deer!

YEHA have a great time mate will you put some photo's up later keep us all posted on this one

Steve

[Avic]

Situation resolved! The world is back to normal again. :rolleyes:


http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=827708#post827708

[Russell]

One of my 3 kessy's can just about take off with a back rabbit leg, but to catch a even a young rabbit, I dont think so!!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Alf]

Don’t know mate the times I have flown spars late in the season I have managed to catch one or two young hoppers but I have to admit if I wasn’t there to help I think they might of gotten away. A kes is a similar size and weight to that of a spar.
A game little imprint could ride a little bunny’s back and if it can get a bight in who knows these little falcons can draw blood every time. I am not saying big here just little hoppers running round the outside of the set. Alf.


One of my 3 kessy's can just about take off with a back rabbit leg, but to catch a even a young rabbit, I dont think so!!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Mikey]

Mikey, just for the record, they're not all loonies. Like any other forum (this one included) Birdforum attracts a wide cross-section of society, and yes, loonies are fairly well represented there. However, there are also a fair number of first-class Ornithologists among their ranks, many of whom in the past have gone to great lengths and trouble to help and advise, and share their knowledge and experience with folk like myself who are still learning.

Some of them don't even practice falconry, and yet I respect and appreciate them;)

Just as on Falconryforum, there are certain members who are a constant source of knowledge and help, and you soon learn to separate the men from the boys.

Btw, that falconer 'Mikeythehawk' who recently joined Birdforum to try and straighten things out, seems to be getting a right hard time from the loonies at the moment;)

Keith.

Lol.Hi keith.
Just for the record i never said they were ALL loonies.Only the ones that claim to have seen or own kestrels that dive onto full grown rabbits,hold them n kill them with hardly a struggle.
Also the ones that point out that a certain wild bird MUST be wild because it's in such good feather.!In other words we austringers/falconers do not look after our birds?
And as for the kessie taking scraps from the bird tables...the first bird i ever flew was a little male kes....and it would nick bacon rinds from neighbours tables!!! and end up feeling **** cos of all the flamin salt they cured it with in the dark ages!!!He never did learn!
I was in no way having a pop at the more qualified,just the twitchy twitchers...And as for some one mentioning kes on hare!!!!!!! HA...HA...again...LOONIES

[Grey_Squirrel_Hawker]

a kes taking rabbits hares, pheasants?!?! smells of poo methinks.....:rolleyes:

[Tasha55403]

a kes taking rabbits hares, pheasants?!?! smells of poo methinks.....:rolleyes:

B...bbb...buttttt...it's in a BOOK! It's gotta be the truth!:rolleyes:

[Grey_Squirrel_Hawker]

B...bbb...buttttt...it's in a BOOK! It's gotta be the truth!:rolleyes:

yes of course, lol, i forgot that everything in books is real8-)

of course, bilbo bagins lives down the road from me, he was in a book:rolleyes:

[Tasha55403]

yes of course, lol, i forgot that everything in books is real8-)

of course, bilbo bagins lives down the road from me, he was in a book:rolleyes:

:lol:

[TLDWB]

I see that pelican chap hasn't had much to say about the issue for a while.

Tom

[Hacker]

thats nothing i,ve seen one take a full size bull and not only that it carried it off. it was last sunday lunch time on the way back from the pub

Yes, i saw that too on the way back from my local, proves that it is not a fluke but a regular occurance.
I wonder if i can sell organised game days with the AK`s, yanks would lap it up.:D :roll:

[Mikey]

Methinks Kiethy might be a spy!!!LOL

[Palmer]

:lol:

[Avic]

Just thought I’d let you know that since my post on the birdforum about kestrels and me commenting that stating they can take hare and so on is madness, I’ve been banned from posting full stop!

Unbelievable!

[TLDWB]

Obviously they don't like to told the truth.

Tom

[Matthew Patching]

I might join, Id have a feild day!

I have just been banned from another falconry group for fighting my corner, I love the IFF at least here it is pretty hard to **** all the moderators off at once, when theres only one its realy easy, as I found out!

[HoumaFalconer]

This is great, but i must be off now. Me and my Harris Hawk are going out tomorrow and hunt a bear that has been bothering some locals.

[Tasha55403]

Just thought I’d let you know that since my post on the birdforum about kestrels and me commenting that stating they can take hare and so on is madness, I’ve been banned from posting full stop!

Unbelievable!

Anything mildly related to falconry (even if it relates to the thread) they wipe it out as soon as a mod hears about it. I mentioned imping once and they deleted a bunch of posts on a thread. Someone started talking about peregrines in cities and wanting to protect a nest site from egg-thiefs, falconers, etc. I told them to do some research they'd find out that falconers are the ones that brought the peregrines back from extinction and PUT those peregrines there. The whole thread got wiped out:roll: I must be polite enough and put enough other birding stuff in every now and then, though, cuz they haven't banned me...yet:roll:

[Tasha55403]

I will say-it doesn't say you're banned (I don't know if it would or not, though) and your posts are still there. I looked at your profile and it just says you're offline.

[Avic]

I will say-it doesn't say you're banned (I don't know if it would or not, though) and your posts are still there. I looked at your profile and it just says you're offline.

i'm not banned from loging on i'm banned from posting!

[GregMik]

i'm not banned from loging on i'm banned from posting!

Oh so they are the nice polite type, they are making you take a timeout to think about how you have been bad....:roll: :rolleyes: :lol:

[Mikey]

All joking aside now though guy(n gals)This whole thread started cos one guy saw a thread on another forum stating that a kes could take rabbit/pidgeon/....Whatever!! Seems like a few of us have been to visit said forum and realise a few.....innacuracies exist!(spelling..i know!)
Statements like 'it must be a wild bird as it's in good plumage/condition!!???? Eagle owls wipeing out our barn owls/peregrines.The whole site is full of either innacuracies or unsubstansiated comments...a large percentage pointed at b.o.p's and their owners!!!
And then when you do try to 'PUT THINGS STRAIGHT"(hello keithy) you get nagged or banned or restricted on posting!????I think i might invite them all to the iff...unless keithy has done that already!! You're not a twitcher spy r u keithy?!)

[KeithGlasgow]

All joking aside now though guy(n gals)This whole thread started cos one guy saw a thread on another forum stating that a kes could take rabbit/pidgeon/....Whatever!! Seems like a few of us have been to visit said forum and realise a few.....innacuracies exist!(spelling..i know!)
Statements like 'it must be a wild bird as it's in good plumage/condition!!???? Eagle owls wipeing out our barn owls/peregrines.The whole site is full of either innacuracies or unsubstansiated comments...a large percentage pointed at b.o.p's and their owners!!!
And then when you do try to 'PUT THINGS STRAIGHT"(hello keithy) you get nagged or banned or restricted on posting!????I think i might invite them all to the iff...unless keithy has done that already!! You're not a twitcher spy r u keithy?!)

I liked the posts by 'Falconservation' and 'Matthew Patching'. They were accurate, polite and to the point. If we're going to be ambasadors for falconry, and 'put things straight' it helps to get the facts right.

Just my humble opinion as usual;)

Keith.

[Gozzhawk]

course kessies take rabbit ,.......hare , fox , deer ,mammoth!!!!

[EuropeanEagleOwlhawker]

You wont believe what i just saw out the window...and i managed to get a pic:yawinkle:

class:roll: going out to catch some hare with the barny. she swoops down in the dark and carries them away while they're sleeping.

[EricSaker]

Here two pics from Germany . A Kestrel with a young Hare

[Hacker]

A couple of superimposed pic`s if you ask me!

[Hacker]

Just look at the scale of the bird and the background compared to the hare.
The bird and background is constant whilst the hare grows in size twofold:lol: :D

[EricSaker]

In the first pic, the kestrel takes a young hare, in the second the old hare comes to defend the young. No fake!

[EricSaker]

Here the first pic of this serie.
The Kestrel is sitting on the young hare and the old one comes.

[Alf]

Like I said Had spars take young rabbits although on a similar size to this young leveret. Alf.

[SparsTheOne]

While I would agree about Kestral's taking Rabbit, here is a picture of a Kestral and a cock pheasant, the cock bird was walking down the road (minding his own business) when the Female KEstral dropped from the tree and killed it stone dead.

She was unable to move it, so filled her crop there and went back up in to the tree above.

Sorry for poor picture, I was a long way off!

Mike


http://www.nobs.org.uk/kes.jpg

PMSL.