Atlantic Puffin vs Common Kestrel

Fratercula arctica comparé à Falco tinnunculus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Atlantic Puffin Common Kestrel
Nom scientifique Fratercula arctica Falco tinnunculus
Ordre Charadriiformes Falconiformes
Famille Alcidae Falconidae
Statut de conservation Vulnerable Least Concern
Longueur 30,0 cm (11.8 in) 34,0 cm (13.4 in)
Envergure 56,0 cm (22.0 in) 74,0 cm (29.1 in)
Poids 380,0 g (13.40 oz) 190,0 g (6.70 oz)
Régime alimentaire Small fish, especially sand eels, herring, and capelin. Dives underwater using wings for propulsion, catching … Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at …
Taille de la couvée 1 1-7
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Atlantic Puffin 30,0 cm
Common Kestrel 34,0 cm
Envergure
Atlantic Puffin 56,0 cm
Common Kestrel 74,0 cm
Poids
Atlantic Puffin 380,0 g
Common Kestrel 190,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Atlantic Puffin only

Aucun(e)

Common Kestrel only

Atlantic Puffin

Breeds on grassy cliff tops and offshore islands. Spends winter entirely at sea in the North Atlantic.

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

Atlantic Puffin

Chant

At burrow gives a low, moaning 'arr-arr-arr' growl. Silent at sea. At breeding colonies produces a series of grunting croaks. Chicks give soft peeping calls.

Common Kestrel

Chant

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.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Atlantic Puffin

North Atlantic from eastern Canada and northeastern United States to Iceland, Norway, and northwest Russia.

Common Kestrel

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

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Statut de conservation

Vulnerable

Atlantic Puffin

Least Concern

Common Kestrel

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How to Tell Them Apart

Atlantic Puffin

Plumage

Black upperparts and white underparts with a distinctive white face. In breeding season, the face brightens and colourful bill plates develop. Winter plumage is duller with a darker face.

Bec

Large, laterally compressed, triangular bill — bright orange, blue, and yellow in breeding season

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.

Bec

Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere

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About These Birds

Atlantic Puffin

The Atlantic puffin, often called the clown of the sea, is a charismatic seabird that nests in burrows on northern sea cliffs. Puffins can carry up to a dozen fish crosswise in their beaks at once thanks to backward-facing spines on their palate. Climate change and overfishing are threatening their food supply, leading to population declines.

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.

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Related Comparisons

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