Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="common-kestrel"></birdfyi-bird>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.
Giới Thiệu
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.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 34,0 cm | 13.4 in |
| Chiều Dài Sải Cánh | 74,0 cm | 29.1 in |
| Khối Lượng | 190,0 g | 6.70 oz |
Nhận Dạng
Bộ Lông
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.
Mỏ
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.
Phạm Vi Địa Lý
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.
Tình Trạng Bảo Tồn
Hành Vi & Sinh Sản
Làm Tổ
Nest type: CV,O. Incubation: 27-31 days. Fledging: 27-35 days.
Số Trứng
1-7
Âm Thanh
Tiếng Hót
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.
Phân Loại Học
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Bộ | Falconiformes (Falcons) |
| Họ | Falconidae (Falcons & Caracaras) |
| Genus | Falco |
| Loài | Falco tinnunculus |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Turmfalke |
| Spanish | Cernícalo Vulgar |
Distribution
Common Kestrel has been recorded in 5 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Câu Hỏi Thường Gặp
What does the Common Kestrel eat?
Where does the Common Kestrel live?
Is the Common Kestrel endangered?
How does the Common Kestrel nest?
What does the Common Kestrel sound like?
How big is the Common Kestrel?
What order and family does the Common Kestrel belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Falconidae family