Gheppio

Common Kestrel - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

In Italian, the Common Kestrel is known as Gheppio, which is from the Latin, originally from the Ancient Greek for vulture.

This one is hunting mice by perching rather than hovering. It seems like a sensible energy-conserving strategy, as I sit down, rather than stand, to photograph it.

More from the Pratone di Torre Spaccata

Starling - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Starling in the Meadow As I arrive in Broken Tower Meadow in Rome a group of Starlings scatter from their fossicking in the meadow.… read more
Hobby - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) A hunting Hobby I can see a bird of prey high in the sky. I don't recognise it, so I train my lens… read more
Eastern Dappled White Butterfly - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Eastern Dappled White Butterfly There are butterflies galore in Broken Tower Meadow, il Pratone di Torre Spaccata. Here's one. I think it's the Eastern… read more
Transparent Burnet - Zygaena purpuralis - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Transparent Burnet Moth There's what looks like a Transparent Burnet moth, Zygaena purpuralis in the park. The larvae feed on wild thyme, which… read more
Trichodes alvearius Beetle - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) There’s a beetle-shaped hole in our lives In the UK the species Trichodes alvearius and another, the Bee-Eating Beetle, Trichodes apiarius, “Have not been seen since the 19th century and are… read more
Bee Eater - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) “Gruccione!” We're walking in Broken Tower Meadow, il Pratone di Torre Spaccata when the Puffin Whisperer says "Gruccione". I recognise the… read more
Mullein Moth Caterpillar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) I’m a big fan of garden pests Whenever I search the Internet for an invertebrate, unless it's rare, there's always a result which is "How do I… read more
Long-Lipped Tongue Orchid - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) Thousands of orchids as far as the eye can see Walking around il Pratone di Torre Spaccata in Rome we spot a Long-Lipped Tongue Orchid, Serapias vomeracea. Then we spot… read more
Red-Backed Shrike - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) ‘Shrike’ she shrieks! We're walking in il Pratone di Torre Spaccata (Broken Tower Meadow) in Rome when I hear the Puffin Whisperer shout… read more

Feel free to leave a Reply :)