Lesser Kestrel (Female, left and male, right)
Lesser Kestrel (Female)
Lesser Kestrel (Male)
Lesser Kestrel (Male)
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Falco naumanni
Arabic Name 
العويسق
Kuwaiti name 
ترمة للذكر وشرياص للأنثى
Family 
Width 
74.0 cm
Length 
33.0 cm
Least Concern
Similar species 

Information

Common passage migrant; rare disperser in winter and summer. Migrates in small flocks. Habitat loss and the indiscriminate use of pesticides is thought to have contributed to dramatic population declines in this insectivorous raptor in the latter half of the 20th century.
Where in Kuwait 
In favourable conditions small flocks of this species are seen overhead on passage mostly during Spring and less so in Autumn. However, they do come to ground to rest and feed and are more commonly found in agricultural areas.
In the world 
This species underwent rapid declines in western Europe and on its wintering grounds in South Africa. However, recent evidence indicates a stable or slightly positive population trend overall during the last three generations. It is usually a colonial breeder, often in the vicinity of human settlements. It dives almost silently from a perch or from mid air and pounces on prey with the claws, before swiftly killing its prey with a bite to the back of the head.
Local threats 
Indiscriminate shooting.