Human economic activity leads to the extinction of many species of birds. Particularly inherited by predators, who were specifically exterminated in the 60s. Influenced by the decrease in their numbers and intensive farming, leading to the extinction of rodents and small animals, which are their food. One of the very rare birds of the Falcon family is the kestrel steppe. Very little is known about her, since she is quite rare. Many confuse it with ordinary kestrel. Now this beautiful bright bird is under protection and is listed in the Red Book. Measures are being taken to increase its numbers and protect against extermination.
Unlike ordinary kestrel
These falconry birds are very similar. But smaller and at the same time more beautiful is the kestrel steppe. A photo of a bird in flight and in a stationary position shows how bright it is, especially the male. By what signs can you recognize the kestrel steppe?
- Its color is bright red, without speckles and spots. Bluish-gray head and black border on the tail. The inner surface of the wings is light, almost white, without spots.
- The steppe kestle differs from the ordinary one in the color of its claws - they have light yellow or white. This bird is also called white-clawed.
- Her wings are narrower than that of an ordinary kestrel. And the tail is wedge-shaped, with a wide black border.
- In flight, the kestrel steppe can freeze motionlessly, without fluttering its wings.
- She also differs in behavior: she likes to nest in colonies, and prefers insects in food.
Where does this bird live
Steppe kestrel is widespread in southern Europe, in different parts of Asia and in North Africa. It can be found in Kazakhstan, Altai, the South Urals and Transcaucasia. It is found everywhere in the Near East and Central Asia from Afghanistan to China, and is widespread in the Mediterranean.
Kestrel steppe winters in South Asia and Africa. The range of its nesting has significantly decreased over the past decades. This is due primarily to human activities and a decrease in the number of insects and small rodents, as well as contamination of fields with insecticides and pesticides. This bird likes to settle in the steppe and semi-desert terrain, nests in piles of stones, on grave tombstones and in niches and fissures of rocks. A decrease in the number of steppe kestrels is also associated with this - in recent decades, the design of gravestone gravestones has changed. But protective measures and the creation of piles of stones in the habitats of these birds gradually lead to the fact that steppe kestle is increasingly found.
Description of the appearance of the bird
Dimensions
Its body length does not exceed 35 centimeters, and the wingspan is not more than 70 centimeters. These birds weigh from 100 to 200 grams.
Body shape
The tail of the steppe kestrel is wider and wedge-shaped, and the wings are narrow. Compared to other Falconiformes, it is not only smaller, but also looks slimmer and more elegant.
Coloring
A very beautiful bird is the steppe kestrel. A photo of her shows how bright she is. A buffy-red, sometimes even pinkish back contrasts with a black border at the ends of the wings and tail. The wings are brown and the head is distinctly bluish. The gray-gray strip also goes along the wings. In flight, the steppe kestrel is also beautiful: a buffy belly, sometimes with bright spots, an almost white throat and inner surface of wings, white claws. This bird is also distinguished by a dark border around the eyes, buffy cheeks and the absence of a "mustache", characteristic of other falconiformes.
Steppe Kestrel lifestyle
This is a migratory bird forming large flocks. It also nests in colonies, unlike the other falcon-like ones. It can even settle with other species of birds. Kestrel lives in the steppe, but it needs hills, low rocks, clay cliffs, piles of stones and earthen ramparts. She also loves the ruins of stone structures or tombstones. The nest arranges for itself in niches or fissures of rocks, voids in a pile of stones and even just in earthen pits. It is not lined with anything, and both parents incubate the clutch of 3 to 7 eggs in turn.
A characteristic feature of the steppe kestrel is feeding mainly by insects. She catches them on the fly and may even freeze in the air. This bird is very useful for crops, as it destroys a lot of locusts and other pests. She catches them, running on the ground. Kestrel does not disdain and small birds, lizards, preys even on mouse-like rodents. In recent years, work has been ongoing to increase the numbers of these birds. They create favorable conditions for nesting and nutrition.