Common Kestrel vs Downy Woodpecker

Falco tinnunculus в сравнении с Picoides pubescens

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Характеристика Common Kestrel Downy Woodpecker
Научное название Falco tinnunculus Picoides pubescens
Отряд Falconiformes Piciformes
Семейство Falconidae Picidae
Охранный статус Least Concern Least Concern
Длина 34,0 cm (13.4 in) 16,0 cm (6.3 in)
Размах крыльев 74,0 cm (29.1 in) 28,0 cm (11.0 in)
Масса 190,0 g (6.70 oz) 27,0 g (0.95 oz)
Питание Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at … Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often …
Размер кладки 1-7 --
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Common Kestrel 34,0 cm
Downy Woodpecker 16,0 cm
Размах крыльев
Common Kestrel 74,0 cm
Downy Woodpecker 28,0 cm
Масса
Common Kestrel 190,0 g
Downy Woodpecker 27,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Общие среды обитания

Нет

Common Kestrel only

Downy Woodpecker only

Нет

Common Kestrel

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

Downy Woodpecker

Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, parks, and suburban areas. The most common woodpecker at feeders in North America.

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Song & Call Comparison

Common Kestrel

Пение

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.

Downy Woodpecker

Пение

A sharp 'pik' or 'peek' contact call. Drums on resonant branches with a rapid, light tattoo — softer than larger woodpeckers. Also gives a high descending whinny 'keeer-keeer'.

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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.

Downy Woodpecker

North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.

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Охранный статус

Least Concern

Common Kestrel

Least Concern

Downy Woodpecker

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How to Tell Them Apart

Common Kestrel

Оперение

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.

Клюв

Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere

Downy Woodpecker

Оперение

Black and white plumage with a broad white stripe down the back. Black wings with white spots. Males have a small red patch on the nape.

Клюв

Short, chisel-shaped, dark bill — noticeably shorter than the similar hairy woodpecker

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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.

Downy Woodpecker

The downy woodpecker is the smallest and most widespread woodpecker in North America. Its small size allows it to forage on thin branches and weed stems that larger woodpeckers cannot access. Downies often join mixed-species flocks in winter, benefiting from the extra vigilance of multiple species watching for predators.

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