Common, or European, kestrel
The Common, or European, Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a hunting bird native to Europe, with populations also in Africa and Asia. Known for its remarkable ability to hover in strong winds, this bird is often spotted over open fields as well as urban areas. With its keen eyesight, the Kestrel can detect small prey, such as field voles and mice, from considerable heights, ranging from 30 to 130 feet. The Kestrel's plumage is characterized by a glossy brown back with black markings, and it has a wingspan of two to 2.5 feet.
These solitary birds are territorial, though they occasionally form small colonies or travel in flocks. Common Kestrels typically nest in abandoned bird nests or natural shelters like rocky ledges and tree holes, laying three to six eggs that the female incubates for about a month. The male assists by providing food during the incubation period. After fledging, young Kestrels become independent by the end of summer and are capable of breeding by the age of one. Overall, their population appears stable, and they play a beneficial role in controlling pest populations in agricultural settings.
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Common, or European, kestrel
The common, or European, kestrel is a hunting bird native to Europe, but can also be found in Africa and Asia. It is also called the windhover or standgale for its ability to hover in strong winds. It can often be viewed above open countryside or near cities or towns. The common kestrel is notable for its keen eyesight. It is able to spot small prey on the ground from heights of thirty to 130 feet (ten to forty meters).
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Species: Tinnunculus
Natural habitats for the common kestrel primarily include open countryside areas, cliffs, coastal dunes, grasslands, rivers, and wooded valleys. They are also found near towns and cities, in parks, and along roadsides. Some may even nest in city buildings and church spires. Kestrels are territorial and will fight to keep other birds from entering their air space.
Kestrels are mostly solitary birds, although they sometimes travel in flocks. They can also form small colonies on the ground.
The brown, black-marked plumage, or feathering, of kestrels' backs appears smooth and glossy. Long, dark-gray tail and wing feathers extend from underneath the brown plumage of their one-foot (30 centimeter) body. The bird's broad tail averages five inches (thirteen centimeters) long, and the slender, pointed wingspan between two and 2 1/2 feet (sixty to seventy-five centimeters). It weighs between five and ten ounces (140 to 280 grams).
The common kestrel is able to hover and fly without difficulty, even in strong, gusting winds. It appears to float motionless while it scans the ground with its large, black, yellow-ringed eyes. Field voles, mice, shrews, rats, and moles are common prey for the kestrel. Kestrels are valuable to farmers as they help control the population of these pests. Kestrels may also seize frogs and lizards which it can spot from thirty to 300 feet (nine to ninety meters) above the ground. Kestrels can view objects in ultraviolet light. This enables them to find burrows by detecting the urine trails of rodents.
On the ground, common kestrels forage for worms, insects, and small birds, especially those still in the nest. Unlike some other family members, this kestrel is not as skillful at seizing prey in the air. It is more likely to fold its wings to its streamlined body and dive in order to strike the prey with its sharp and deadly talons.
Common kestrels breed between April and July. Some may migrate from southern regions to northern ones, while other birds remain in their habitats year round. Kestrels prefer to mate in farmland, marshes, grasslands, heaths, or areas of low-growing shrubs. A male and female do not build their own nest, instead they take over nests from other birds like crows or pigeons. Other possible nesting sites include rocky ledges, tree holes, crevices, or even in ground plants called heather. The female lays three to six reddish-brown-spotted eggs over a period of several days. The male brings food to the female while she incubates the eggs for about one month. The female feeds the young at first, and then the male also helps as they grow larger and need more food. After a one-month nesting and fledging period, their flight feathers develop, and the young are able to fledge first time. By the end of the summer the young are independent and leave their parents' territory. They are able to mate at one year of age.
Kestrel life spans typically last three to four years, but can be up to 16 years. The kestrels' population size are believed to be healthy as they are not seriously threatened by people, pollution, or predators.
Similar species:
- Malagasy kestrel(Falco newtoni)
- Seychelles kestrel(Falco araeus)
- Mauritius kestrel(Falco punctatus)
- Spotted kestrel(Falco moluccensis)
Bibliography
“Common Kestrel.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/common-kestrel. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.
Dorr, Laura. “How Big is a Kestrel? (And 5 Other Facts about the Tiny Predator).” A-Z Animals, 28 Jan. 2024, a-z-animals.com/blog/how-big-is-a-kestrel-and-other-facts-about-the-tiny-predator. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.
“Falco tinnunculus Common Kestrel.” Animal Diversity Web, 2006, https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Falco‗tinnunculus/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.