Nankeen Kestrels like to ride the wind. They can be seen at the Bluff at Barwon Heads, along the coastal cliffs at Torquay and inland on farms in open grassland, sometimes sitting on fence posts. They hover at around 20-30metres looking for food such as mice, small reptiles, grasshoppers and crickets. When prey is spotted Kestrals will slowly descend, dropping suddenly in the last few meters.

They nest in crevices in the cliff face, in hollows of trees and deserted nests of ravens and magpies. They lay three to four pale, buff, mottled eggs. Part of the population may be migratory and so its abundance may vary.

Size: 30-35cm

Illustration: Mark Trinham