Breeding Behaviour and Diet of the Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales

Abstract

The active nests of two pairs of Australian Kestrels Falco cenchroides were observed for a total of 132 hours in the 1988 and 1990 breeding seasons at Goulburn, N.S.W. Both nests were in hollows in eucalypts in pastoral land. Courtship, parental behaviour, sex roles and fledging are described. Five young fledged from five eggs in 1988, and three young fledged from four eggs in 1990. The Kestrels' breeding diet for both years combined was 2% mice, 19% small birds, 53% reptiles and 26% arthropods by number, mostly small birds (59%) in 1988 and skinks (64%) in 1990. Birds contributed most by biomass in both years (60-87%). Capture of avian prey, and dust-bathing behaviour, are described.