Common kestrel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Common kestrel
Adult male Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Class:	Aves
Subclass:	Neornithes
Infraclass:	Neognathae
Superorder:	Neoaves
Order:	Falconiformes
Family:	Falconidae
Genus:	Falco
Binomial name
Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758
Western part of range of F. t. tinnunculus (also occurs in Siberia farther east) Yellow = breeding only, green = all-year

The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a cool bird of prey. It's part of the falcon family, known as Falconidae. People also call it the 'European kestrel' or 'Eurasian kestrel'. In places like Britain, it's often just called 'the kestrel'. You can find these birds all over Europe, Asia, and Africa.

About the Common Kestrel

Common kestrels are not very big. They are about 32 to 39 centimeters (13 to 15 inches) long. This is from their head to their tail. When they spread their wings, they measure 65 to 82 centimeters (26 to 32 inches). Female kestrels are usually a bit bigger than males.

They are smaller than many other birds of prey. But they are bigger than most songbirds. Like other falcons, they have long wings and a long tail. Their feathers are mostly light brown. They have black spots on their backs. Their undersides are a creamy color. They also have thin black stripes there.

What Kestrels Eat

Common kestrels are amazing hunters. They often hover in the air. They stay about 10 to 20 meters (30 to 70 feet) above the ground. Kestrels have super good eyesight. This helps them spot tiny prey from far away.

Once they see something, they quickly dive down. Kestrels mostly eat small mammals. These include voles, shrews, and mice. Sometimes, they also eat small birds. This happens more often in the summer. That's when young birds are just learning to fly. They might also snack on spiders and beetles if they find them.

Images for kids

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  European pine vole (Microtus subterraneus), a typical common kestrel prey since prehistoric times

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  Male F. t. tinnunculus bringing food to nest

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  Female wintering in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh, India)

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  F. t. canariensis on Gran Canaria

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  F. t. rupicolaeformis from Hurghada, Egypt

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  Falco tinnunculus alexandri - MHNT

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  Wooden common kestrel sculpture

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  Adult male F. t. tinnunculus landing

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  Young male F. t. tinnunculus during ringing

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  Female F. t. tinnunculus

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  F. t. tinnunculus at lake Neusiedl

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  F. t. tinnunculus Male in the wild

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  F. t. tinnunculus Female in the wild

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  Hovering tail feathers closed

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  Hovering tail feathers spread

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  Hovering

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  Skull

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  Egg of common kestrel

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  Falco tinnunculus alexandri - MHNT

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  Hatchling of common kestrel (note white down)

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  Fledglings in nest cavity

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  Immature after fledging

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  Common kestrel nest

See also

In Spanish: Cernícalo vulgar para niños