Common Kestrel vs Aplomado Falcon
Falco tinnunculus compared with Falco femoralis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Kestrel | Aplomado Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Falco tinnunculus | Falco femoralis |
| Order | Falconiformes | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae | Falconidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 74.0 cm (29.1 in) | 49.0 cm (19.3 in) |
| Weight | 190.0 g (6.70 oz) | 328.25 g (11.58 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-7 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Kestrel
Open country including farmland, grasslands, moorland, and urban areas. Common along motorways and in cities across Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Kestrel
A shrill, repeated 'kee-kee-kee-kee' or 'kik-ik-ik', especially near nest. Alarm call is a nasal chattering. Generally less vocal than larger falcons. Calls ring clearly in open country.
Aplomado Falcon
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Kestrel
Europe, Asia, and Africa. One of the most common and widespread raptors in the Old World.
Aplomado Falcon
Conservation Status
Common Kestrel
Aplomado Falcon
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Kestrel
Males have a blue-grey head and tail with a rufous back spotted with black. Females are rufous-brown with heavy barring. Both have a dark moustachial stripe.
Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere
Aplomado Falcon
About These Birds
Common Kestrel
The common kestrel is Europe's most abundant falcon, famous for its ability to hover motionless in the wind while scanning for prey. Research has shown kestrels can see ultraviolet light, allowing them to detect vole urine trails that reflect UV. The species has adapted remarkably well to urban environments.
Aplomado Falcon
The Aplomado Falcon is a slender, medium-sized falcon weighing around 328 grams with a wingspan of about 49 cm, found from the southwestern United States through South America. It hunts birds and insects in open grasslands, savannas, and marshes, often cooperating with its mate to flush and pursue prey. Its striking black-and-white facial pattern and rufous breast band make it one of the most elegant falcons of the Americas.