Cricket, a Rock Kestrel, was brought to us as a juvenile after being kept in a wire cage for the first six months of his development. During this critical period he received an inadequate diet and little opportunity to grow naturally, arriving stressed, malnourished, and with severely damaged flight feathers.

Spending his early months in close contact with people and without other kestrels to learn from led to partial imprinting. He also developed metabolic bone disease from early malnourishment, leaving him with a weakened leg. Although his feathers have recovered well and he has grown into a handsome adult, these early challenges mean he is not suitable for release.

Today, Cricket is a lively and engaging ambassador for his species, helping us highlight the importance of correct early care and why professional rehabilitation offers young wildlife the very best chance of returning to the wild. He is proudly sponsored by GVH Landscapes.