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Armenian Name: | Տափաստանային հողմավար բազե |
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Species Status: | Endangered Species - Species of Special Concern |
See Plate 11 for Lesser Kestrel and other similar species See Plate 15 for Lesser Kestrel and other similar species in flight
Flight Characteristics: | Long bluntly-pointed tail with dark subterminal band and slightly longer central tail feathers. Male has blue-gray head, whitish underwings, and pale blue-gray tail base. Female and juvenile have lightly-spotted underwing coverts, and faintly-barred flight feathers. Flies with short rapid wingbeats. Hovers infrequently. Often seen in small flocks perched on wires. |
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Resident Status: | Breeding bird |
Abundance: | Uncommon |
Length: | 29-32 cm, Wing Span:58-72 cm |
Distribution Map: | Map 53. |
Description: | Slim falcon with white claws. Tip of closed wing almost reaches tail tip; central tail feathers protrude slightly. Male has blue-gray head, greater wing coverts, and tail; unspotted reddish-brown back, and sparsely spotted underparts. Female is red-brown with dark spots and streaks above; dark streaks below. |
Immature: | Immature male is spotted above with barred tail. |
Similar Species: | Differs from Common Kestrel by smaller size, white claws, lack of bold mustache mark, and protruding central tail feathers. Male Common Kestrel has spotted back and no blue-gray on wings. |
Behavior: | Often gregarious. Hunts in open areas; hovers less with faster wingbeats than Common Kestrel. Often perches on telephone poles. |
Habitat: | Semidesert, mountain steppe near cliffs. |
Food: | Insects, lizards, other small animals. |
Nest: | Slight depression in cavity opening in cliff, ravine, or building. |
Eggs: | 35 mm, 3-5, white, orange spots |