Nankeen Kestrel preys upon Western Bearded Dragon

Abstract

A Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides was observed eating an apparently freshly killed Western Bearded Dragon Pogona minor at a beach in south-western Australia. The Kestrel twice flew low over the landscape for 25 m, carrying the slain dragon. The mass of the dragon (43 g) was calculated as 26% of the Kestrel’s mass (164 g). Kestrels taking, and carrying, lizard prey of this size may be uncommon.