Zoo database

Common kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Natural diet Common kestrel

The common kestrel has a diverse diet, feeding mainly on small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews, but also on insects, reptiles, and birds. They are opportunistic carnivores and feed on what is most readily available in their environment.

Insects
Insects
Vertebrates
Vertebrates

Feeding advice Common kestrel

Feed quantity per day

20-25%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 0,12 kg and eats 20% of its body weight, it will get
 
0,12 x 0,2 = 0,02 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Meat and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0,99 x 0,02 kg = 24 g meat and whole prey
0,01 x 0,02 kg = 0 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of small prey

Whole prey

Variety of insects

Supplements

Not recommended

Live prey

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Amyloidosis
  • Bumblefoot
  • Molting Disorders
  • Obesity

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over one feeding moment per day.
  • When feeding thawed whole prey, then supplementation is recommended.
  • Provide insects occasionally to keep variation in the diet.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using stacking or hanging the prey (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).
Common kestrel | Kiezebrink