Common Kestrel vs Mallard

Falco tinnunculus से तुलना Anas platyrhynchos

Side-by-Side Comparison

विशेषता Common Kestrel Mallard
वैज्ञानिक नाम Falco tinnunculus Anas platyrhynchos
गण Falconiformes Anseriformes
कुल Falconidae Anatidae
संरक्षण स्थिति Least Concern Least Concern
लंबाई 34.0 cm (13.4 in) 58.0 cm (22.8 in)
पंखों का फैलाव 74.0 cm (29.1 in) 90.0 cm (35.4 in)
वजन 190.0 g (6.70 oz) 1100.0 g (38.80 oz)
आहार Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at … Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing …
अंडों की संख्या 1-7 4-18
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Common Kestrel 34.0 cm
Mallard 58.0 cm
पंखों का फैलाव
Common Kestrel 74.0 cm
Mallard 90.0 cm
वजन
Common Kestrel 190.0 g
Mallard 1100.0 g

Habitat Comparison

साझा आवास

Common Kestrel only

Mallard only

कोई नहीं

Common Kestrel

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

Mallard

Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.

Song & Call Comparison

Common Kestrel

गीत

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.

Mallard

गीत

Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.

Geographic Range & Migration

Common Kestrel

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

Mallard

Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.

संरक्षण स्थिति

Least Concern

Common Kestrel

Least Concern

Mallard

How to Tell Them Apart

Common Kestrel

पंख

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.

चोंच

Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere

Mallard

पंख

Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.

चोंच

Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females

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.

Mallard

The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.

Related Comparisons

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family