Common Kestrel in Brno — Online Webcam

Common Kestrel — a small falcon in the urban environment

The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is one of the smallest representatives of the falcon family in Europe. The Latin name of the species translates to "ringing falcon" — named after the characteristic "ki-ki-ki" call that can often be heard over city neighborhoods. In size, this bird of prey is comparable to a collared dove or pigeon, making it an ideal candidate for living among multi-story buildings.

Unlike many larger raptors, the kestrel has adapted remarkably well to the urban environment. In the Czech Republic, its Czech name is poštolka obecná, and in recent decades ornithologists have noted a steady trend of these falcons nesting directly in residential neighborhoods. Brno, as the second largest city in the country with a well-developed system of green zones and historic buildings, provides kestrels with ideal nesting conditions.

Brno — a city where falcons live on balconies

Brno is the capital of Moravia and the second most populous city in the Czech Republic with a population of about 380,000 people. The city is located at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers, and its architectural appearance has been shaped over centuries — from medieval castles to functional residential areas of the 20th century.

It is this diversity of building types that attracts kestrels. In the historic center, they occupy attics and niches in old buildings, while in residential areas — balconies and decorative cornices of apartment blocks. The webcam in Brno is installed on just such a balcony, where the birds have built their nest in a specially prepared woven basket.

How kestrels choose a nesting site

The Common Kestrel does not build a nest on its own in the traditional sense. In nature, it uses old nests of crows, magpies, and other large birds, as well as tree hollows and rock crevices. In the urban environment, artificial nest boxes and baskets placed by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts on balconies and building facades serve this purpose perfectly.

The camera in Brno shows exactly such a case: a woven basket filled with wood shavings has become home to a pair of kestrels. A wooden crossbar is fixed on the wall nearby — a kind of landing platform from which the birds survey the surroundings before flying out to hunt. A ceramic water bowl provides the birds with water on hot days.

Nesting biology: from egg-laying to fledging

The nesting period of the Common Kestrel in Central Europe falls during April–June. The female lays 3 to 8 eggs, most often 4–5, with a characteristic ochre coloration covered with rusty-brown speckles. Incubation lasts 28–32 days, during which time the male takes on the primary responsibility of providing food for the family.

Kestrel chicks are born covered in white down and completely helpless. In the first weeks of life, the female barely leaves the nest, warming the brood, while the male brings prey — mainly small rodents, large insects, and small birds. By late June–July, the young birds take to the air for the first time, although they remain dependent on their parents for a long time.

Urban hunting: what the kestrel eats in Brno

The kestrel is a predator whose hunting strategy is based on hovering patrol of territory. The bird hovers in the air at a height of 10–20 meters, fluttering its wings and scanning for prey on the ground. Thanks to its unique vision sensitive to ultraviolet light, the kestrel sees the urine trails of small rodents as glowing marks against the grass.

In the urban conditions of Brno, the kestrel's diet consists mainly of voles, mice, large beetles, and sparrows. Green park areas, lawns along streets, and vacant lots — all are hunting grounds for the small falcon. Through the panoramic window of the balcony where the camera is installed, you can observe how the birds return with prey to the nest.

The importance of webcams for ornithological research

Installing online cameras at Common Kestrel nests is not just entertainment for nature lovers. Such broadcasts provide scientists with unique material for studying bird behavior in the urban environment. Ornithologists record the timing of egg-laying, hatching success, feeding frequency, and response to weather conditions.

In the Czech Republic, there is an entire network of such cameras united by the Tinnunculus project — a non-commercial initiative to monitor the kestrel population. The camera in Brno has become part of this network, allowing thousands of viewers to observe the lives of wild birds in real time.

What you can see on the camera

The online camera is installed inside the balcony and aimed at the nesting basket. In the frame is a woven basket with wood shavings, inhabited by two kestrels: a female and a male. A wooden crossbar for perching is fixed on the wall nearby. A ceramic water bowl is visible in the nest. Through the panoramic window of the balcony, there is a view of the Brno cityscape with multi-story buildings. The broadcast is in real time, allowing you to observe the behavior of the birds in their natural habitat from anywhere in the world.