Well, the good news is that our Kestrel box was inhabited again this year by a pair that laid five eggs near the end of May. The bad news is that none of the eggs have hatched as of July fourth. I know that incubation doesn't start until all of the eggs have been laid but the last egg was laid before June 1st. I thought that, on average, it took 28-31 days for incubation. How long can it actually take?
I'd appreciate any information on incubation time for Kestrels.
Thank you, Drew
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Comments:
Hello Drew,Indeed, incubation
Hello Drew,
Indeed, incubation for American Kestrels is normally 28-31 days, right around a month. It does sound like your eggs are late. Do you see any adult kestrel activity around the nest box? Is the female incubating?
-D
Both paretns are still
Both parents are still protecting the nest. I don't understand what would cause this to happen. Is there some new form of DDT or something of the like? What causes infertility in eggs?
Infertile eggs can be caused
Infertile eggs can be caused by many factors in birds, and is not necessarily related to pollutants. Poor nutrition, genetics, age, nesting experience, temperature variations - all are things that could effect fertility in birds.
I would leave the nest box alone and keep observing as long as the adults are hanging around. Although it is uncommon, American Kestrels do make second nesting attempts!
-D
Kestrel chicks have just
Kestrel chicks have just fledged this week (7/11) with one yesterday here in Peyton, Colorado. It seemed so late compared to the past two seasons. We did have some harsh spring weather along with the adult pair looking inexperienced. All is well :)