The incredible "tomial tooth" of the lesser kestrel is a hard protrusion that is found on the beak of the falcons in the premaxillary area. It fits over the mandible, which in turn also has a toothed but inverse protrusion and closes, like a powerful plier, around the inner area of the protrusion located at the top of the beak (or premaxillary area).
Falcons use this effective tool to instantly kill their prey by pinching the neck vertebrae in vertebrates and the rear base of the head in insects and other invertebrates.
Image obtained through the video-surveillance camera system installed at the Lesser Kestrel Colonies of Almendralejo SPA. The images are received at DEMA headquarters and are part of one of the actions under the LIFE Project entitled "Management of Urban SPAs in Extremadura".
Any communication or publication related to the project, made by the beneficiaries jointly or individually, in any form and using any means, reflects only the opinion of its authors. The European Commission is not responsible for the use that may be made of such information.
