Turmfalke vs Elster

Falco tinnunculus verglichen mit Pica pica

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal Turmfalke Elster
Wissenschaftlicher Name Falco tinnunculus Pica pica
Ordnung Falconiformes Passeriformes
Familie Falconidae Corvidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge 34,0 cm (13.4 in) 46,0 cm (18.1 in)
Flügelspannweite 74,0 cm (29.1 in) 56,0 cm (22.0 in)
Gewicht 190,0 g (6.70 oz) 220,0 g (7.76 oz)
Ernährung Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at … Omnivorous — insects, grains, berries, carrion, eggs, and nestlings. Caches surplus food for later retrieval.
Gelegegröße 1-7 2-8
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Turmfalke 34,0 cm
Elster 46,0 cm
Flügelspannweite
Turmfalke 74,0 cm
Elster 56,0 cm
Gewicht
Turmfalke 190,0 g
Elster 220,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

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Turmfalke only

Elster only

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Turmfalke

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

Elster

Open woodland, farmland, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. Common in suburban and urban environments across Eurasia.

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Song & Call Comparison

Turmfalke

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.

Elster

Gesang

A harsh, rapid chattering 'chach-chach-chach'. Also gives a variety of whistles and clucking notes. Known to mimic other birds and sounds. Very vocal in pairs.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Turmfalke

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

Elster

Europe, Asia, and northwest Africa. One of the most recognizable birds across the Palearctic region.

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Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

Turmfalke

Least Concern

Elster

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How to Tell Them Apart

Turmfalke

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

Elster

Gefieder

Bold black and white pattern with iridescent blue-green gloss on the wings and long graduated tail. White scapulars and flanks contrast with the black body.

Schnabel

Strong, straight black bill

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About These Birds

Turmfalke

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.

Elster

Die Elster zählt zu den intelligentesten Tieren der Erde und war das erste Nicht-Säugetier, dem eine Selbsterkennung im Spiegel nachgewiesen wurde. Diese dreisten Rabenvögel bauen kunstvolle, kuppelförmige Nester aus Zweigen und gelten als Liebhaber glänzender Gegenstände, wenngleich dieser Ruf möglicherweise übertrieben ist.

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