Observations on Development, Nesting Chronolgy, and Clutch and Brood Size in the Australian Kestrel, Falco cenchroides (Aves : Falconidae)

Abstract

The nesting chronology of three captive and two wild pairs of Australian kestrels and the development of nine captive-bred and five wild-bred nestlings are presented. Clutch and brood sizes and dates when eggs and young were found in nests, collected from a number of sources, are discussed. Breeding biology was similar to that of other species of kestrel. Wing length of nestlings gave the best estimate of age up to about 6 weeks, and the pulling of a rectrix was found to have potential as a method of sexing nestlings and first-year birds.