Prey-caching in the Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides, and a review of caching in other Australian falcons

Abstract

We describe two instances of a Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides caching a House Mouse Mus musculus in winter: (1) beneath ground vegetation, and (2) beneath a clod of earth in a ploughed field. As caching is seldom reported in this or other Australian falcons, we review reports of caching by Australian falcons, and by Northern Hemisphere kestrels in which the habit is well studied.