female

female female in flight European distribution hovering

Identification

The silhouette of a hovering Kestrel is a common sight. This hovering habit is the easiest way to identify a Kestrel since it is the only small British bird of prey which does so. Its long, pointed wings indicate that it is a falcon and not a hawk, no other British falcon has such a long tail. The brown on the back is a warmer, redder tone than on any other small bird of prey and this usually contrasts well with the virtually black outer wing.

Habitat

Breeds and winters in open woodland, parks, farmland, moorland and towns.

Migration

Although a British resident during winter, populations in northern Europe are migratory.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Common Kestrel is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

undisc. site, Worcs 01/09/2010	undisc. site, Worcs 01/09/2010	Langton Matravers, Dorset 01/09/2010	undisc. site, Worcs 01/09/2010	Otmoor, Oxon 29/08/2010
undisc. site, Worcs 29/08/2010	Otmoor, Oxon 29/08/2010	undisc. site, Worcs 29/08/2010	Otmoor, Oxon 29/08/2010	Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk 30/08/2010

 View all pictures of Common Kestrel

Common Kestrel breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Britain
Bulgaria
Canary Islands
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lichtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madeira
Malta
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob3040.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Common Kestrel	Edit this link
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