Identification: A small falcon with a long tail and long, narrow wings. Upper parts are chestnut whereas the underparts are white with some streaking. The outer wing has a black upper surface. The male has a blue- grey head, neck and tail whilst in the female these are chestnut. 

Call/Song: Produces a shrill, repeated ki.

Found across most parts of Australia.

Habitat:Dwells in woodlands, lightly-timbered forests as well as open areas and parklands.

Feeding: Insects such as grasshoppers, crickets and beetles form the bulk of the nankeen kestrels diet, but it may also take small mammals, birds and lizards. 

Breeding/Nesting: Breeds August through November and uses tree hollows, recesses in caves, cliff ledges or abadoned nests of other species in which to lay its eggs.

Movement: The nankeen kestrel soars and glides with its wings flat or drooped in the outer parts. It hovers with little or no flapping for several minutes.

Other Common Names: Kestrel, Australian kestrel.

Status:

Distribution: 

Abundance:

Queensland Museum (1995) Wildlife of Greater Brisbane, Queensland Museum, Brisbane.

Reader's Digest Services (1979) Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds, Surry Hills, NSW.