Gheppio Falco tinnunculus

Holy Spirit in flight

Hovering in mid-air, tail fanned out, eyes fixed on the ground... it flaps its wings rapidly in the shape of the Holy Spirit: it is undoubtedly a kestrel, a small hawk scanning the ground in search of prey.
It is often seen perched on lampposts or the roofs of rural buildings, or scanning cultivated fields, meadows and clearings in search of reptiles, amphibians, small rodents and large insects. The male has a reddish back and grey head, while the female has a more uniform brown-brown colouring. It does not usually build its own nest, but uses old magpie and crow nests. Here, the female lays 4-6 eggs and takes care of the incubation, while the male hunts for food.
It is a valuable ally to farmers, as it naturally controls populations of field mice and insects that could damage crops. 

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