Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Its hovering flight is characteristic: the falcon hangs in one spot in the air with rapid wingbeats while scanning the ground. The male differs from the female in its grey head and grey tail with a black terminal band.
- Group
- Birds of Prey
- Photos
- 5
- Taken
- 2023–2025
Profile: Common Kestrel
- Family
- Falcons (Falconidae)
- Size
- approx. 32–39 cm
- Wingspan
- approx. 65–82 cm
- Weight
- approx. 135–315 g
- Habitat
- Varied open farmland with fields and meadows, also towns; nests in rock crevices, old trees, church towers and other buildings.
- Diet
- Mainly voles such as the common vole and other small rodents, plus small birds, lizards and insects such as grasshoppers and beetles.
- When to see
- Depending on food supply a resident, wandering or migratory bird, seen year-round; many adults winter in Germany, while northern European birds mostly move to southern Europe.
Learn more: Wikipedia · NABU (German)