Lesser Kestrel in Ramat HaNadiv — Watch the Webcam Online
On the slope of Mount Carmel, in the shade of Mediterranean oaks, two small falcons have made their home. The Lesser Kestrel — one of the smallest predators in the falcon family — has chosen a wooden box on the grounds of Ramat HaNadiv for nesting. The live webcam allows you to observe this pair in real time: the male with a gray head sits on the right, the female with mottled plumage — on the left. The birds sit on a bedding of small gravel and pebbles, typical of artificial nests for this species.
Nesting Box: Design and Location
The nesting box is installed several meters above the ground, secured to a tree trunk. Inside — a bedding of small gravel and pebbles, typical of artificial kestrel nests. The wooden walls create a snug yet protected space where the birds feel safe. Hanging such boxes in the wild has proven effective: on trial sites, the population of small falcons increased by 4.7 times by the second year. To support kestrels in the wild and attract them to small woodland areas near open spaces, artificial nesting platforms or boxes are installed — most often open boxes or even old baskets.
Male and Female: How to Tell Them Apart
The male Lesser Kestrel is easily distinguished by the light gray "cap" on its head and reddish-brown body plumage with small black spots on the back. The beak is yellow, as is typical of most falcons. The female looks more modest: her plumage is a uniform brown tone with dark stripes on the chest and head. An interesting feature of the species — in both sexes, the talons are not dark, as in most falcons, but whitish in color. This trait helps distinguish the Lesser Kestrel from closely related species even at a distance.
Bird Behavior in the Nest
The Lesser Kestrel's call is a sharp, crackling "chey-chey-chey", nothing like the drawn-out "ki-ki-ki" of the Common Kestrel. The birds use it to communicate in the nest and to mark their territory. During the nesting period, the male brings prey to the female — large insects, small lizards, or rodents. The pair takes turns incubating the eggs, swapping several times a day. The female spends more time in the nest while the male hunts and guards the territory.
When to Watch: Day and Night
During the day, the kestrels spend time in the nest, taking turns incubating eggs or guarding the chicks. At night, the birds rest but remain in the box — the webcam with infrared illumination allows you to see them in the dark. Peak activity occurs during the morning and evening hours when the falcons hunt in the open areas around the park. This is when you can see the male bringing prey or the pair performing a mating flight over their territory. The daytime broadcast shows calm incubation, while the nighttime broadcast shows the birds resting in the snug box.
History of Kestrels in Ramat HaNadiv
Ramat HaNadiv has been involved in the Lesser Kestrel rehabilitation program since 2006. Every year, chicks and fledglings that have fallen from nests are brought here to be released into the wild. In 2020, a wild pair attempted to nest in the installed box for the first time, but the attempt ended tragically: invasive Common Mynas killed the female and destroyed the clutch of four eggs. Since then, the box has been upgraded to protect the entrance from competitors. The rehabilitation program has helped restore the species' population in the region.
Ramat HaNadiv: The Park and Its Inhabitants
Ramat HaNadiv is a nature park in northern Israel, covering about 4.5 kilometers at the southern tip of Mount Carmel. The name translates to "Heights of the Benefactor" — the park is named after Baron Edmond de Rothschild, who supported the first settlers. Between Zikhron Ya'akov to the north and Binyamina to the south lie gardens, groves, and trails inhabited not only by kestrels but also by Griffon Vultures, White-tailed Eagles, and other rare birds. The park is one of the country's key ornithological areas.
How to Get to the Park
You can reach Ramat HaNadiv by car via Highway 4 or 65 from Haifa (about 30 minutes' drive) or Tel Aviv (approximately 1.5 hours). The park is open to visitors, admission is free. An observation deck is located near the kestrel nesting box, but the online camera allows you to see the birds up close without disturbing their peace. Hiking trails, information boards, and binoculars for birdwatching are available to visitors.
What You Can See on the Camera
The camera is installed inside the nesting box and broadcasts a live feed in real time. In the frame — gravel bedding, wooden walls, and two birds: the male with a gray head and yellow beak on the right, the female with mottled plumage on the left. During the nesting season, you can observe egg incubation, chick feeding, and mating ceremonies. The webcam operates around the clock, allowing you to see the birds' behavior at any time of day or night. Watching the nesting and behavior of Lesser Kestrels in an artificial nest is a unique opportunity to study the lives of these rare falcons.
