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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	Common Kestrel	Slaty-backed Forest-falcon
Scientific Name	Falco tinnunculus	Micrastur mirandollei
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)	46.4 cm (18.3 in)
Weight	190.0 g (6.70 oz)	506.5 g (17.87 oz)
Diet	Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at …	--
Clutch Size	1-7	--
Population Trend	—	—

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Size Comparison

Body Length

Common Kestrel 34.0 cm

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon —

Wingspan

Common Kestrel 74.0 cm

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon 46.4 cm

Weight

Common Kestrel 190.0 g

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon 506.5 g

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Common Kestrel only

🏖️ Coastal 🌾 Grassland 🌿 Wetland

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon 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.

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon

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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.

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Kestrel

Least Concern

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon

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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

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon

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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.

Slaty-backed Forest-falcon

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Related Comparisons

Peregrine Falcon vs Common Kestrel

same-family

Resplendent Quetzal vs Common Kestrel

look-alike

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