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Turmfalke

Falco tinnunculus

Least Concern
Länge
34,0 cm
Flügelspannweite
74,0 cm
Gewicht
190,0 g
Familie
Falconidae
Ordnung
Falconiformes

Males with a blue-grey head and tail over a rufous, black-spotted back, and females rufous and heavily barred, the Common Kestrel is a small falcon best known for hovering — a hunting technique unique among European raptors. Hanging on beating wings at 10 to 20 metres, it drops on voles and mice, its principal prey, supplemented by lizards, large insects, and small birds. It is one of the most common and widespread raptors of the Old World, occupying farmland, grassland, moorland, and urban areas and often seen along motorways. Nesting in cavities and on ledges, it lays one to seven eggs, incubated for 27 to 31 days, with young fledging at 27 to 35 days. Its shrill, repeated calls carry clearly across open country. The species is classified as Least Concern.

Über uns

Der Turmfalke ist der häufigste Falke Europas und bekannt für seine Fähigkeit, bei der Jagd reglos im Wind zu rütteln, während er nach Beute Ausschau hält. Untersuchungen zeigen, dass Turmfalken ultraviolettes Licht sehen können und so die UV-reflektierenden Urinspuren von Wühlmäusen aufspüren. Die Art hat sich bemerkenswert gut an städtische Lebensräume angepasst.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 34,0 cm 13.4 in
Flügelspannweite 74,0 cm 29.1 in
Gewicht 190,0 g 6.70 oz

Identifizierung

Gefieder

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.

Schnabel

Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere

Habitat & Range

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

Geografisches Verbreitungsgebiet

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

Diet & Feeding

Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at 10-20 meters, a behavior unique among European raptors.

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Verhalten & Brutverhalten

Nistverhalten

Nest type: CV,O. Incubation: 27-31 days. Fledging: 27-35 days.

Gelegegröße

1-7

Lautgebung

Gesang

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.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordnung Falconiformes (Falken)
Familie Falconidae (Falken und Karakaras)
Genus Falco
Arten Falco tinnunculus

Names in Other Languages

Language Name
German Turmfalke
Spanish Cernícalo Vulgar

Distribution

Turmfalke has been recorded in 5 countries.

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Vorhanden Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What does the Turmfalke eat?
Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at 10-20 meters, a behavior unique among European raptors.
Where does the Turmfalke live?
Open country including farmland, grasslands, moorland, and urban areas. Common along motorways and in cities across Europe.
Is the Turmfalke endangered?
The Turmfalke has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Turmfalke nest?
Nest type: CV,O. Incubation: 27-31 days. Fledging: 27-35 days.
What does the Turmfalke sound like?
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.
How big is the Turmfalke?
The Turmfalke has a body length of 34.0 cm, wingspan of 74.0 cm, weight of 190.0 g.
What order and family does the Turmfalke belong to?
The Turmfalke (Falco tinnunculus) belongs to the order Falconiformes and the family Falconidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Falconidae family

Vergleichen

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