Common Kestrel
occurs as two sub species in the island. European Kestrel or race tinnunculus is an uncommon
winter migrant to the open country, forests and scrub lands of all climatic
zones while Indian Kestrel or race objurgatus is a scarce
breeding resident in the hills. According to the Dr Sarath Kotagama race interstinctus or Eastern
Kestrel is also occurs as an uncommon migrant to the all zones of the island (Kotagama
S. & Rathnavira G. 2010). Common Kestrel feeds mainly on lizards and insects
like grasshoppers. It also preys on nestlings of ground-nesting birds, whenever
it can find them (Henry G.M. 1998). The breeding season of the resident race is from March to
June and it is said that it doesn't build a nest but deposits 2- 3 eggs on a
ledge of rock on the face of an inaccessible cliff. While its staying in the
country Common Kestrel is mostly a solitary bird and can be seen frequently
hovering or perching on high branches in search of small animals to prey on
with its keen eyes. සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>
