Observations on the breeding ecology of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (Fleischer 1818) at a new breeding site in southeastern Türkiye

Abstract

A new breeding site for Lesser Kestrel was identified and the nesting area was monitored between 2019–2022 at Diyarbakır, Türkiye. Birds arrive at the nesting site at the end of March and breeding commences with courtship behaviour and copulation at the beginning of April. Incubation starts in mid April and lasts until mid-May when the eggs hatch. The juveniles fledge at the end of June, and begin to practice hunting with adults in early July. Further monitoring of the population is recommended.