130925-studie-wildlife-comeback-in-europe

4.8. Lesser kestrel
Falco naumanni
Summary
Background
Table 1.
Global IUCN Red List
status [12] , European
population and SPEC
status [4] and EU
population status [13]
of Lesser kestrel.
Scale Status Justification
Global
Least Concern
(since 2011;
considered
Vulnerable in
1994–2008 and
Threatened in
1988)
The Lesser kestrel used to be one of the most
abundant birds of prey in the Western Palearctic.
It suffered severe declines in the second half of
the 20 th century, primarily as a result of habitat
loss and degradation caused by land-use changes.
Lesser kestrel populations have recently increased
and recovery is underway in southwest Europe,
although populations elsewhere in Europe are
stable or slowly declining. Provision of artificial
nests and restoration of breeding colonies helped
drive Lesser kestrel increase locally, but lack of
suitable foraging habitat is still limiting in most
areas. Targeted agri-environment schemes and
habitat management are necessary to ensure
adequate prey densities for Lesser kestrel in order
to enable population recovery and range recolonisation.
Stable or slightly positive population trend overall
during the last three generations.
No longer approaches any of the thresholds for
Vulnerable under the IUCN criteria.
Europe Depleted (SPEC 1) Large historical decline.
EU25
Depleted
General description of the species
The Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small
falcon species, similar in appearance to the larger
Common kestrel (F. tinnunculus). Lesser kestrels
prey mainly on large insects, and occasionally
taking small vertebrates, e.g. small birds, reptiles
and mice or other rodents [1] . Lesser kestrels breed
in colonies of up to 200 pairs and nest in cavities
on cliffs or buildings from February to July [1] . It
is a migratory species, wintering in sub-Saharan
Africa [1, 2] , but there are some resident populations
in southern Spain and northern Africa [1] . Lesser
kestrels are gregarious throughout the annual
cycle, migrating in flocks and congregating at roost
sites in the post-fledging pre-migratory period, as
well as at the wintering grounds [2] .
Distribution in Europe
The Lesser kestrel’s breeding range covers the
Western Palearctic south of 55 o N [2] . It used to be
considered one of the most abundant birds of prey
in the region [3] , but underwent large population
declines in the second half of the 20 th century
throughout Europe [2, 4] . The species’ range has
undergone contractions in the Balkans [5] , as well as
in southwest Europe [6] .
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