Common Kestrel vs Bat Falcon
Falco tinnunculus compared with Falco rufigularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Kestrel | Bat Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Falco tinnunculus | Falco rufigularis |
| 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) | 39.8 cm (15.7 in) |
| Weight | 190.0 g (6.70 oz) | 169.25 g (5.97 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.
Bat Falcon
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Kestrel
Europe, Asia, and Africa. One of the most common and widespread raptors in the Old World.
Bat Falcon
Conservation Status
Common Kestrel
Bat 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
Bat 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.
Bat Falcon
The Bat Falcon is a compact, fast-flying falcon found from Mexico through Central and South America to Argentina. It has slate-black upperparts, a rufous breast and belly, and a distinctive white throat patch. As its name suggests, it specializes in hunting bats at dusk, as well as swifts, swallows, and large insects caught in aerial pursuit.