Zoo database

Common kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Natural diet Common kestrel

Insects
Vertebrates

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.

Feeding advice Common kestrel

Feed quantity per day

20-25% of body weight

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 = 0.024 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Meat products and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 0.024 kg = 23.8 g meat products and whole prey
0.01 x 0.024 kg = 0.2 g supplements

Diet suggestions

Not recommended

Live prey

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 diseases

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

Metabolic bone disease
Amyloidosis
Bumblefoot
Molting Disorders
Obesity

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Whole Prey supplement

Regular mice 15-22 g

Quail S 180-220 g

Day Old Chicks (Black Box)

Jannicke Kiezebrink

Director Operations