American Kestrel Fights an Invasive European Starling for Nestbox

On the evening of April 1st, 2014 - A female kestrel entered the box and found it already occupied by a starling! The resulting epic showdown was captured by our camera.
Learn more at kestrel.peregrinefund.org/kest...

[@danspatariu7356]

When you come home and the meal is waiting for you

[@brennanlangless8912]

Kestrel poking its head into the box : Hello there little morsel

[@tomtalker2000]

European Starlings, along with House Sparrows which are really in the Weaver Finch family and Rock Pigeons. Were pretty much ALL introduced to us back in the early 1900's from Europe. Starlings and House Sparrows in particular have caused so much damage to localized bird species i wouldn't have minded if the small Falcon had one in this battle. However, it goes to show the sheer tenacity of Starlings and how aggressive they can be when claiming a next box over another species. There beaks are extremely sharp and luckily for the Kestrel it had the talons to keep that beak from knocking one of it's eyes out.

[@henryhurtz8542]

tomtalker2000 'introduced to us" like u an native to this land lol

[@si4632]

starlings aggressive hahaha what a pillock

[@stormbornapostle5188]

@@henryhurtz8542 Shut up, Forsworn dog.

[@nonavailable4000]

Then just don't make any tempting nesting boxes that gives them a reason to fight other birds for it , and all birds can manage to make a decent nest on their own , stop spreading hate against birds and animals you don't like 😤

[@Maurice_Moss]

Same thing in the uk with american grey squirrels, pretty much wiped out the smaller much prettier red squirrels. And they pretty much have no natural predators either.

[@sergei2836]

A great battle! The starling was lucky to escape)

[@SKKEarth]

Nice video thanks for sharing

[@RRW359]

I don't think it was fighting over the nest box, I think it was just trying to have lunch.

[@627horsepowers]

both

[@jaycejacob9933]

I realize Im kinda off topic but does anybody know a good site to stream newly released movies online ?

[@derekbrandon2802]

@Jayce Jacob i would suggest flixzone. You can find it on google :)

[@ulisessaint663]

@Derek Brandon yup, been using flixzone for months myself =)

[@jaycejacob9933]

@Derek Brandon thank you, I signed up and it seems like a nice service :D Appreciate it !!

[@sixchambersTTV]

Stand your ground, Kestrel!

[@nikkismom857]

Yay for your Kestrel! I've tried to get wood ducks to nest in my woodduck box, but all I ever get is starlings in there. I would LOVE to have a Kestrel nest in it. Hope the Kestrel is able to keep the box.

[@ongawesgone]

You can purchase starling traps to fit wood duck and kestrel boxes from Van Ert sparrow traps. They're online. I have six sparrow traps for my bluebird boxes and two bigger traps for my kestrel box.

[@diegohilleary8157]

Kestrels love boxes next to any open, grassy area. Removing starlings when they show is a good way to discourage them. The kestrels in the kestrelcam box are doing fine! The female is raising five healthy-looking chicks now! kestrel.peregrinefund.org/index.php?action=webcams

[@terrance3218]

Nikkis Mom Experiencing that problem now. Starlings have moved into my purple martin house leaving them without a home.

[@nikkismom857]

Terrance, you can use Starling resistant entrance holes on your purple martin housing to help keep the starlings out. Many options for plates to place over your existing entrances, etc. here: www.purplemartin.org/shop/63/replacement-plates/

[@terrance3218]

Nikkis Mom Thank you. Mom was thinking of buying a new one but her old one has held up pretty well and it is over thirty years old.

[@FunChannel65]

nice video

[@jamesaron1967]

When food comes bursting through your front door...

[@davidandrew6347]

Starling was just checking out the box and got trapped by the kesterel.

[@austin1839]

I see that burglary of a habitation is rampant everywhere nowadays.

[@jillrobinson6908]

'Ain' NOBIRDIE messes wi't da Mama Kestrel! NOBIRDIE.'

[@krismoroney7482]

Jill Robinson that was the Daddy Kestrel

[@beermanmccool1226]

Kestrel: YOU PICKED THE WRONG HOUSE, FOOL!

[@russellstillman2913]

he wont be coming back

[@Absolute_Goober]

1:15 "where you going bitch, funs just getting started"

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

Thank goodness it got away!

[@SuperPutzPutz]

Were you behind the camera when it was recording or was in on a timer and no one was present? I need to know, please.

[@ThePeregrineFund]

Hi! This is actually a web camera, so the camera is permanently mounted in the box and records 24/7. We accessed the footage online. We do not access the camera during the season to avoid disturbing the kestrels.

[@SuperPutzPutz]

@@ThePeregrineFund Yes, but we're you actually watching online at the time when it happened or did you view the activity afterwards?

[@housel9352]

0:16 Kestrel: Woah dude, like, chill! Spread the peace!

[@ashleyhansen6150]

Thought I was watching a snuff video but he escaped.

[@ragranok]

Starling did not fight for the nestbox, once kestrel entered the nestbox it was fight only for its life. Kestrel from the beginning of the accident was holding smaller starling with its legs (bigger, stronger). It was only active defence.

[@markpatterson2507]

They don't know they're invasive

[@krismoroney7482]

The Kestrel could of made a meal of the starling,The instinct not to kill in the nest territory probably saved the starling

[@Demont]

Lucky Starling.

[@ancestralvoices1]

Here is a similar encounter but with a Screech Owl(and different outcome): kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqGvgGRsip6MZpo

[@FalconfromRF]

They are not a serious problem for kestrels as kestrels can chase them away

[@roqu7629]

yes but they practice gang warfare, so not many cavity nesters can fend them off. They are terrible for woodpeckers, bluebirds, purple martins, flycatchers and other birds. They are incredibly aggressive. Did you note how the starling was trying to stab the kestrel with its beak. They are horribly aggressive and a menace to our native birds.

[@chickenturtle5026]

On the bright side, they are excellent at controlling pests in there native range in Europe!

[@roqu7629]

`Yes in their native range they are perfect, in the USA deadly to our native birds.

[@irlnd32]

Looked like Daddy actually

[@maskedmaleindividual7005]

irlnd32 it's a female

[@kjmay2596]

Nobody puts Baby in the corner:)

[@kathykral2628]

wow, what a fight! As the owner of a pet starling I can attest that they have the attitude of a much larger bird, he can win a fight with any of us in the house. He certainly gave the kestrel a run for his money ;-) I've never seen a kestrel up close, beautiful bird.

[@SakuraFoxFurry]

You need to kill that invasive menace.

[@kathykral2628]

I had to come back and read your message in context, I thought you were referring to my starling! Thank you for sticking up for him, they certainly didn't come here of their own accord but they were survivors.

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

Sorry about that, I haven't figured out how to tag people since youtube changed it last year. I've had a few starlings myself, amazing little birds. I've got one now that I received when someone found him washed out of a gutter after a big storm a few weeks ago. he's attacking my fingers as I type this how xD

[@MissNebulosity]

Poor starling.

[@djohnson3093]

Starlings and European sparrows are nothing more than rats with wings that destroy the native bird population. Good video

[@nonavailable4000]

@djohnson3093 You're a Sicko , who is always looking for any excuse , to justify his Evil hunting fetish

[@malcomax7449]

Brave Starling and Coward American