It's called "dispersion", and is natural for all birds of prey. As a falconer for more than 4 decades, I can attest to this behavior. When they "leave the nest", they can travel far and wide. One of my young gyrfalcons flew off once during early training and wandered about for over 50 miles. I tracked him with telemetry and was able to retrieve him just before sunset. Interestingly, after flying every direction on the compass, the falcon was headed back home, and knew exactly where that was. Amazing.

I have the honor of finding one of these guys during my military service in northern Cyprus. There was a giant tree where i liked to read books and gaze into sky under it's shade during quiet times. One particularly hot and fateful day, i saw a bird crashing into a bush nearby. The bird looked exhausted and dehydrated so i tossed my shirt over it grabbed it. Whole station was immediately in love with it's beauty and anything that breaks the anguish of military routine is something to cherish. We made a cage from twigs and sticks. Patrolling soldiers were bringing insects in their pockets. After two days the bird had enough and started biting the cage so i released it. It never came back around and we took no offense as none of the soldiers would come back if they had the chance to be somewhere else.

It never ceases to amaze how wide a range of projects you can cover!

It was shocking to every scientists when the falcon went to the city and ordered a big mac with french fries.

What beautiful little birds, they are! The young albatross which leave New Zealand, are known for their exploratory journeys which take them beyond their normal range. Dispersing to new territory improves a species' chance of survival, so maybe a small percentage of these birds always has the urge to wander further afield, and you just happened to find one in Mossy. Whatever, I hope he stays healthy and keeps his back pack sending you messages until it falls off. And I really, really hope he doesn't get killed by a power line like all those other beautiful birds. And they talk about the damage that the wind generators do!

I'm intrigued to see where Mossy and Lumi end up over the next months.

GPS tracking is always so fascinating! I support the hypothesis of a sibling fall out... Great work Mossy Earth :)

I'm glad I happened across your vids a bit back - was an algorithm thing because of a guy I watch who unclogs culverts and does nature walks. Loved what you're doing and became a member and am continually impressed by what you do.

I think Mossy has seen better views in just a few weeks than us in our whole life 🙈 They're adorable!

My thoughts on the uncharacteristic trajectory of your juvenile lesser kestral : Suspiciously, it would seem that previous data on Kestral preferred habitat and travel routing, have been collected with erroneous and prejudiced judgement sometime in the past. This has precluded and tainted the understanding of these birds habits, and may force you to re-examine, study, and rewrite the behavioural characteristics of lesser kestrels. Perhaps you'll find new wintering sights, and other habitats of these very interesting Avians. Hopefully, you look at this project as exciting and mysterious, as I certainly do. How exciting!!! Good luck to you!

My first career was commercial logging. You would be shocked by how many birds, like falcons & crows hang around the woods where trees are being felled. They know that there are snacks a plenty to be had!

Interesting video. We have Hawks and Eagles in NE Wa, US. Twice I've seen them ambush Doves, waiting under a huge spruce tree in our front yard. Early in the morning they wait, then pounce on their prey. It looks like an explosion of feathers when they do this, taking the Dove to the ground and holding it until it's mostly given up fighting it's demise. The Hawk not being much bigger than the Dove, then flies off with it, amazingly. Where are all the birds? I started talking to the Dove that comes to our bird bath, it will sit and listen to me for 10-20 minutes, coming as close as 5 ft from me while sitting near the bird bath. It seems to enjoy my guitar and singing as it will show up often while I'm out back playing. I had a Night Hawk circle around me and my van one early morning before sunrise, 7 times! It then flew off and came back to do the same thing again! It then landed on my van to check out the little XM radio antennae with a small wire on it that must have looked like a mouse to it, lol. I love birds of all types. We also have a few Cedar Wax Wings that come by occasionally. I've watched as the Dove was sitting on a telephone pole and a Crow flew up quickly and sat down right next to the Dove, within inches. The Dove did not move, they obviously have a relationship and feel safe. If an Eagle or Hawk come over, the Crows gang up and run them off! The Crows are the Police of the bird community and apparently the other birds know it. Just thought I'd share, Anybody else observe this behavior? Thanks. Enjoy Peace

They have something to prove after being called ‘lesser’ kestrels

Amazing to see that not only you base yourself on studies but you also make studies yourselfs about the species. Allways showing why mossy earth is different from other organisations

That was fascinating and made me rethink if the nature conservation rout isn't where I actually should be headed in future. Right now I'm on a recovery route, so to speak. I've always cared about nature and tried to help out. Including working in shelters and taking in animals in need of help.

Thank you for the regular updates!

I love seeing people go beyond just words and go out to protect our environment and wildlife, with such things as this. We need people like this. Respect!

Juveniles finding new grounds, in a sort of wanderlust does make sense.

Those abandoned electrical towers with the bird corpses was horrific. I have never seen such a terrifying and heartbreaking sight.😢😢😢😢😢Thank you, all of you.🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗💗💗💗💗💗💖💐💐💐🇺🇸💋

You put a backpack on him. Obviously he figures that means he needs to backpack across Europe.

sometimes i wish i went into wildlife science and conservation, it seems so fun and fulfilling to handle and observe wildlife. mad respect for people who do this (and how much work it is!!)

the kestrel is a friendly looking useful bird

As a juvenile, perhaps feeding, gaining experiance and growing are more beneficial than being in the same territory as potential mating partners? Having juveniles disperse more widely than adults could allow for reduced feeding competition (juveniles would surely lose to experianced adults in hard times).

It reminds me at the theory that some individuals have an “explorer” gen that makes them seek out new frontiers

I think it could be a normal varity in behaviour. Most individuals behave in predictive patterns, but some outliners will be more adventurous and unpredictable. This way the population will not go extinct due to a single sudden change in the enviroment. A normal quirk in evolution.

I had 2 in my garden for a small period, last year. This year one came back, so I'm hoping it is recurring each year. I have many pictures of them. I'm located in the Caribbean

I am from India🇮🇳 I am environmental list I regularly see your video and making thoughts on your work and i will must try implement in own area and country side, very prowd to see your work for nature 🌿🍃

Great video as usual! I find it so impressive that these little birds are so resilient, hope Mossy and Lumi will be okay!

Your efforts made me cry. I pray one day I may be able to donate to all that you do! Thank you very much❣️🙏🏻

I'm so glad to read about the Kestrel, I'm staying in South Africa, in Strand ,Western Cape and one day coming from work I saw the kestrel sitting on the walk way on a window sill outside this flat on the 8th floor, I'm olso on the 8th floor, he saw me and came to my window, I didn't know what they eat but had raw chicken in the fridge, and thought maybe he is hungry .I cut it in nice thin pieces and feed it to him!! I was is awe because he took it with his talon gently out of my hand !! Then flew away, I thought that was the last I see of him but No about a month later he was sitting again in front of my flat, he was waiting for me and next to him was his food that he caught, I greet him then he took the food and flew in a sircle twice before me ,I knew he came to thank me because then he flew away!! Hope to see my friend again!! God bless you with the good work!!

I remember playing golf on the south coast of Cornwall. On one of the tees I watched a kestrel hovering in a howling gale. A brilliant sight and almost within touching distance. I never realised they can see the fluorescent trail in mice urine.

6:30 This is where the tracking starts, the rest is fluff.

I'm still in shock to learn how easily scientists are shocked. Good to know the shock lasted for only .001 percent of the video at the end.

This was pretty cool. It is interesting to see a lesser kestrel in the mountains, since that is an area they do not prefer to be. If I had to guess, I'd say Mossy went to the Pyrenees Mountains to escape the heat waves that have been happening in Europe. Normally it is cooler in higher elevations.

The sparrows come to Ireland in April from the south , they head north in June or July and then return a week or so in November . .

please keep us updated on them!

You guys should keep the option to directly donate towards trees planted like you did with Iceland. Even if it's between projects you should keep a donate tree amount towards next project option. Even if it's not exact and an estimate I think it would help secure more funds. For example I was going to put $50 (ik I'm poor) to donate trees but the option wasn't on the app anymore. Just a suggestion but I think always having that open would help a lot. You figure most people myself included love the directness of donating that way because then you really feel as though you made an impact, also alot of people can only donate small amounts once in awhile when they happen to have extra money EX beginning of the month after bills or paid or whatever. But anyway I love what you do and support it 100%. The only real way to make an impact on the climate and our environment and nature is by doing what you do plant trees and rewild

I think Mossy just liked flying around and exploring new habitats,

I was riding my bicycle along an irrigation canal in Albuquerque in 1985 and found one of these birds in distress along the trail, i took the bird home and fed it everything and anything i could find. seemed to like bacon. the bird stayed with us for about a month. it was like having a beautiful piece of art in our house. It preferred to sit on a sewing machine we had by a window. It even went on a camping trip with us in the mountains. It would perch on your shoulder and ride around on you and even hang around with us outside. finally one evening the bird flew to a telephone line and just sat till it was dark and we never saw the bird again. I didn't know much about birds, but the bird taught me a bunch, and i have gone on to have many birds in my life. One thing the bird taught me is that stink bugs taste bad.

I lived on the 19th floor. One morning after soon after I moved in I woke up I saw some Falcons at eye level. Watching them hunt pigeons is kinda awesome.

It's gonna be interesting to hear of how this research develops. I have a feeling it took this path because of the climate. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a detrimental impact of climate change on the species but instead an example of how adaptable they are. Either way, it's already proving that this kind of research is necessary!

I've often wondered whether it's not uncommon for migrating animals especially birds to make unobserved detours

I calculated what the 5grams of the tracker would be if I was to carry it, and was scaled to my size. That's about 4.8 pounds for my estimated 160lbs, constantly carrying 4.8 lbs everywhere would be slightly annoying but I could probably get used to it, and just think I got bigger.

Mossy just wanted a nice holiday in the mountains.

I haven't watched it yet but i'm already interested!

Hoping and wishing for fixing of the morbidity hotspot at the African continent transmission lines! // I cringe at all migratory crossings to Africa bc the penchant of locals to put glue in trees to catch migrating birds by the millions. I got trauma from a National Geographic magazine article I saw was it 15 or so years ago, just tore me up emotionally... the little birds tore themselves up trying to get free of the glue. Like, ripping off their own wings. The birds landed in the first trees they would see after crossing the Med, and that was it. It was going to be a hard busines bringing the locals around to halting the practice, and finding other income..., I remember reading their attitude was, "We are oppressed, there are no alternatives to make money, get off our backs, turnabout is fair play, we will oppress, too!" Given how long it has been since I read it, I hope hope attitudes and behaviors have changed. They were trapping birds to sell them as roasted snacks, little migrating birds heading to southern Africa. Anyway, you can tell that article really got to me, sniff snuff, the photos were shocking.

lesser kestrel? who named them 'lesser kestrel'? show some respect! they are awesome!

I use to fly a few Kestrels back in the 60s. They were everywhere back then. I've only seen one in the last 5 or so years. Very sad.

"Scientist we're amazed to discover the falcon was in fact a bird"

mossy is a free spirit

Kestrels have been my favorite birds to watch for years. I have always found them to be fascinating hunters. And so secretive, at the end of the day as the sun goes down, regarding the location of their nest or roosting spot. Super smart and beautuful.

As mentioned in some other comments long distance dispersal of juvenile raptors especially falcons is somewhat known by now. For example, in the past couple years we received GPS tagged Lanner Falcons, Barbaries, and even Bonelli's Eagle from Israel in the Caucasus region. Certainly these species recorded in the Caucasus but i am sure not much attention given about their origin beforehand, but thanks to GPS tagging know we see interesting pattern (some juveniles directly fly north after dispersal, so my guess would be genes play important note in navigation and looking for suitable habitat)

This birds came to India all the way from S.Africa, they came to Nagaland, Wokha (India) at River Doyang they stay here for atleast a month.. Some years ago the locals started to hunt this birds but the Govt. Of Nagaland banned from hunting.. Now the state had already introduced the Falcon Festival every year, also now heavy fines were made to those hunters whoever hunt this birds.

I was literally watching the video about the snails and this popped up xD

It will be interesting to see what kind of diet Mossy develops as a result of the different biome exploration.

I live in an Alpine region southern Austria close to the Italian and Slovenian boarders and I've seen Lesser Kestrels here

I'm surprised that your species of Kestrel seem to avoid large cities! Here in Western Canada, they're a regular fixture of suburban life, roosting on houses and focusing on house sparrows and flying insects as prey.

I saw one in the cemetery in Massachusetts once sitting on a gravestone. It was amazing. Maybe it was a different type of kestrel but no doubt it was

Better voice-over than before. Thanks.

so interesting, I just hope the taggers dont mess with the beautiful animals :)

We are wheat farmers and every time we harvest we always have kestrels, hawks, and ravens constantly following us around looking for mice

Hei how about reintroduced cheetahs in india. Could help if there's any carnivorous reintroduction and it's pros and cons?

Do the backpacks expand as the bird grows strong and big, or do they feel constrained?

Great video and initiative well done!

Do anyone know Mr. And Mrs. Kes from REF's channel?

Another fantastic video and project! Thank you, Matt and DEMA for the thorough explanation! 🙌

wonderful work

Other birds are like "So, what'd you do this time Mossy? The law finally caught up with you and your accomplice."

Interesting: i live in the south of germany… and in the last two years, ive seen many more of these again:) however ive also seen them the previous years but not as many

Really interesting, I'm curious what pattern emerges after more of them get tagged

Unlike other hunting bird they are so cute looking...nice project

Really interesting. But with only two data points, we'll need to tag more birds. Maybe this kind of thing happens a lot, but since juvenile birds aren't tagged we just don't know

This is incredible… come and Explore Nagaland too… Amur Falcon migrate from Siberia and South Africa covering 2500-3000 miles to Nagaland from November to January

In Northeast India.. the Falcon bird migrate during October and November.. in one of the place they also celebrate Falcon Festival to welcome and honour the Falcon bird.

What an exotic bird.💚❤ i have spotted lots of them in my neighbourhood in this July & August.

Amazing little bird.

A juvenile flying a thousand km to a place he could not know before is quite astonishing. Says something about their senses and innate knowledge we have much to learn about.

Thank you for your work

Here in the northern Appennine in Italy is very very common at the top of the mountains (1500-2000 meters) where there is grassland. The wind is more or less stable on the top and they use it to hunt confortably with the tipical "Spirito Santo" position. Bye

I admire your work friends...

Always well written and produced. Thank you!

One would think a more slim and aerodynamic GPS transmitter could be developed in 2022. Super cool to see though, great vid.

Well done Matt and the team! I think it's induced by climate change but the idea they simply do this when they are younger is also compelling. Will be following the four kestrels in the upcoming months. Very curious to see!

Extraordinary powers of flight navigation by Mossy. It is well known or suspected that birds can "see" plane polarised light from the sun, and can sense Earth's magnetic field better than humans can. I assume that mountains provide better hunting grounds for raptors because more bare rock around mountain sides and cliff terrains provide more updraughts and thermals. Better for soaring and hunting and more effortless flying; gain height in a mountain thermal and gradually glide back to the plain. Covers lots of ground (and prey availability) and can gain height again by returning to the thermal.

i live in the pyrenees and i knew i already seen these bird but when u said they doesn't like montainous terrain i was like : is that a other similar type of bird that i thinking of ? but finnaly no, these bird are here

The Lesser Kestrel is an absolutely beautiful raptor.

Awesome video!

Mossy was the risk taker just like Mosssy Earth

I think that since the mountains are obviously high, Mossy could have headed to the Pyrenees possibly to have a better sense of his surroundings prior to taking off migrating to Africa. And it could also be that since Mossy is a juvenile, he doesn't know how to search for Earth's Magnetic field which all birds use to travel, both for migration and locally. So maybe Mossy headed to the mountains to sense the magnetic field better since he would be flying at an especially high altitude, it would be like choosing which "road" to take before making his decision as to where he wants or rather, should go.

Years ago I watched a gang of 10 or so lesser kestrels in extensive and dense laurisilva forest on La Gomera. Definitely not the eco system they typically prefer. They seemed quite happy playing around together, so I assumed there was plenty of prey about, and they weren't working hard to survive. Also surprising to see them over several days in the same area. It was northern hemisphere winter, so maybe they had intended to migrate to Africa, but no-one told them they were still in Spain!

Great video!

Reminds me of one of my favorite raptors here in central California (EEUU), the American Kestrel.

They're cuties. Like sky chickens.

For years and years I would see these birds of prey of all types where I live here and out in the country. Nowadays I'll be lucky to see even a red-tailed hawk. The other day I saw a marsh hawk for the first time in years. What the hell's happening!!! 😞

Man I want a job like this! I finish my degree in computer science and all I wanna do is work with nature. any suggestions?

An amazing project and a great video. Thanks. Greeting from Singapore.

He was visiting every wise animal of legend trying to get that thing off his back

Mossy is a adventurous.

I am grateful that conservation in the assistance of species is ongoing and developing. I have a concern with strapping on these cam6for a considerable time eg 3years is along time . The reason for this is the possibility of parasites being able to function in areas by strapping that the birds/ others find it harder to clean themselves. Perhaps a much shorter length of time and more birds ect used instead

Kestrels love to nest in Wood Duck boxes in open areas😀😀😀