The Altai-Falcon nursery of Altai State University received rescued kestrel chicks. Video

The Altai-Falcon rare bird nursery of Altai State University has received new residents – small kestrel chicks. They were handed over to scientists by representatives of the Russian Bird Conservation Union. In the near future, nursery specialists will take care of the chicks.

A famous Altai ornithologist, Vice-President of the Russian Bird Conservation Union Alexey Ebel, told about the details of the story:

“This nest was discovered by builders of a new school in the village of Borovikha, Pervomaisky district. When the work got to the point of sealing up the eaves, the workers discovered a kestrel nest under the roof. It contained four tiny puffy chicks and one egg. Work was suspended, it was necessary to decide what to do with the birds. To avoid delaying construction, the workers decided to take the chicks and contacted the Altai branch of the Bird Conservation Union, who then transferred the chicks to the Altai-Falcon nursery. The nursery’s specialists have extensive experience in incubating and feeding birds, and will now take care for the resecured kestrel chicks.

The kestrel is one of the small representatives of the Falcon genus that feeds on small rodents and large insects. This species is widespread in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Altai Krai. In recent years, the bird has been increasingly found in populated areas, making nests in niches of high-rise buildings. So, two years ago, a kestrel made a nest in the courtyard of Altai State University, where it successfully hatched chicks.

Lydia Mendel, Head of the Altai-Falcon nursery, told about the new residents' accommodation.

“The chicks are still very small; they hatched just a few days ago, and weigh around 25 grams on average. For now, we have placed them in a small basket and kept them indoors in our laboratory building, as we do not have any free pairs of saker falcons that could raise them. Every four hours the chicks receive food, which is minced meat, we feed them the same way as our saker falcons. They are eating well, which is a positive sign. As the weather is very warm now, the chicks do not currently require placement in brooders, which are devices for raising chicks that have already hatched. As long as the basket is enough to keep them, we place it between sun and shade as needed.”

While the chicks are growing up, nursery specialists are monitoring them day and night. As soon as the chicks get stronger and grow up, they will be moved to the aviary.