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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	Common Kestrel	Mauritius Kestrel
Scientific Name	Falco tinnunculus	Falco punctatus
Order	Falconiformes	Falconiformes
Family	Falconidae	Falconidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Endangered
Length	34.0 cm (13.4 in)	—
Wingspan	74.0 cm (29.1 in)	35.9 cm (14.1 in)
Weight	190.0 g (6.70 oz)	173.25 g (6.11 oz)
Diet	Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at …	--
Clutch Size	1-7	2-5
Population Trend	—	—

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Size Comparison

Body Length

Common Kestrel 34.0 cm

Mauritius Kestrel —

Wingspan

Common Kestrel 74.0 cm

Mauritius Kestrel 35.9 cm

Weight

Common Kestrel 190.0 g

Mauritius Kestrel 173.25 g

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Common Kestrel only

🏖️ Coastal 🌾 Grassland 🌿 Wetland

Mauritius Kestrel only

🌲 Forest

Common Kestrel

Open country including farmland, grasslands, moorland, and urban areas. Common along motorways and in cities across Europe.

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Song & Call Comparison

Common Kestrel

Song

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.

Mauritius Kestrel

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Geographic Range & Migration

Common Kestrel

Europe, Asia, and Africa. One of the most common and widespread raptors in the Old World.

Mauritius Kestrel

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Kestrel

Endangered

Mauritius Kestrel

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How to Tell Them Apart

Common Kestrel

Plumage

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.

Bill

Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere

Mauritius Kestrel

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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.

Mauritius Kestrel

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Related Comparisons

Peregrine Falcon vs Common Kestrel

same-family

Resplendent Quetzal vs Common Kestrel

look-alike

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