The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): Hovering Hunter of Fields and Cities

A Common Kestrel in hovering flight, with rufous plumage and dark tail. — The Common Kestrel, a small diurnal raptor recognizable by its distinctive hovering flight.

Master of the Sky-Hover

The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is one of the most familiar and widespread birds of prey across Europe, Asia, and Africa. This small falcon, often seen suspended motionless in the air, a behavior known as "kestrel-hovering" or "windhovering," offers a fascinating spectacle for any nature observer.

Its aerial agility, its ability to spot tiny prey from high above, and its adaptability to various environments, from open countryside to urban areas, make it an efficient and captivating predator. Though less imposing than its eagle or large falcon cousins, the kestrel is nonetheless a formidable hunter, crucial for the balance of our ecosystems. Its presence is a good indicator of local biodiversity richness.

Our Ornithologist's Advice

By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published September 11, 2025.

My personal tip: To easily observe the Common Kestrel, look for it along country roadsides or at the edge of fields. It is often perched on a post, an isolated tree, or a power line, scanning the ground. But it's primarily its characteristic flight, the "kestrel-hover," that makes it unmistakable: it remains motionless in the air, rapidly beating its wings, before suddenly diving on prey. Bring binoculars and be patient; it can stay hovering for a long time before taking action!

Identifying the Common Kestrel: Key Features

The Common Kestrel is a small raptor that is relatively easy to identify, especially by its flight behavior and plumage variations.

Size: 32 to 39 cm (12-15 inches) in length. It's a small to medium-sized raptor.
Weight: Males typically weigh 150 to 200 g (5.3-7.1 oz), while females, being slightly larger, weigh 200 to 300 g (7.1-10.6 oz).
Wingspan: Generally between 65 and 82 cm (25-32 inches).
Flight Speed: Its flight is characterized by the distinctive "kestrel-hover," where it remains stationary in the air against the wind. When hunting, it can execute fast dives but does not reach the extreme speeds of larger peregrine falcons.

Plumage: The Common Kestrel exhibits noticeable sexual dimorphism in its plumage:

Male: Grey-blue head and tail. Its back is rufous, spotted with black. The underparts are pale buff with fine dark streaks. The tail ends with a broad black band and a thin white edge.
Female: More uniformly rufous, with a rufous head and tail, both barred with black. The underparts are more heavily streaked with brown than those of the male.

Juveniles: Similar to females, with duller and more heavily streaked plumage. Their cere (fleshy part at the base of the beak) is bluish, turning yellow with age.

Beak and Legs: The beak is dark grey-blue, hooked, with a yellow cere at the base. Its legs are yellow, and the talons are black, fine but sharp, adapted for catching small prey.

Common Kestrel male and female in flight. — Sexual dimorphism is visible: male with grey head, female uniformly rufous.

Scientific Dimensions and Records

Characteristic	Male	Female	Record / Average
Length	32 – 35 cm (12.5-13.8 in)	35 – 39 cm (13.8-15.4 in)	32 – 39 cm (all individuals)
Weight	150 – 200 g (5.3-7.1 oz)	200 – 300 g (7.1-10.6 oz)	150 – 300 g
Wingspan	65 – 75 cm (25.5-29.5 in)	70 – 82 cm (27.5-32.3 in)	65 – 82 cm
Speed	Up to 60-70 km/h (37-43 mph, in pursuit)	Up to 60-70 km/h (37-43 mph, in pursuit)	Hovering flight, then rapid dive
Life Expectancy	3 – 5 years (wild)	3 – 5 years (wild)	Up to 15-20 years (captivity)

Calls and Vocalizations: Discreet but Characteristic

The Common Kestrel is generally a discreet bird. It does not produce melodic songs like passerines, but rather alarm or contact calls. Its most frequent vocalization is a sharp and rapid "kee-kee-kee-kee," which can be repeated several times. This call is often emitted in flight, particularly as an alarm or to mark its territory.

Near the nest, calls are softer and may include more subtle "vrou-vrou" sounds, while young kestrels emit insistent whistling calls to demand food from their parents.

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Behavior: The Hovering Hunter

The Common Kestrel is a diurnal and territorial predator, often observed alone or in pairs during the breeding season. It is primarily sedentary throughout most of its range, although northern populations may migrate to warmer regions in winter.

Its hunting technique is very distinctive: it is famous for its "kestrel-hover" or stationary flight. It remains motionless in the air, rapidly beating its wings, with its tail fanned out and pointed downwards, all while meticulously scanning the ground with excellent visual acuity. Once prey is spotted, it dives with precision to capture it with its talons.

Its diet is opportunistic but mainly consists of small rodents, particularly voles and mice, which make up the bulk of its diet in agricultural areas. It also consumes a large quantity of large insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, especially in summer. Small birds, lizards, and earthworms may also supplement its menu.

The breeding season begins in spring. The Common Kestrel does not build its own nest. It uses existing cavities: tree hollows, cliff crevices, old woodpecker holes, or abandoned nests of corvids (crows, magpies). In urban environments, it adapts by nesting in ledges, towers, steeples, or even window boxes on balconies. The female typically lays 3 to 6 eggs, incubated mainly by the female for about 27 to 29 days. Young leave the nest after 27 to 32 days but remain dependent on their parents for food for several weeks after their first flight.

Habitat and Distribution

The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is an extremely adaptable raptor and one of the most widely distributed in the world. Its range covers a large part of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

It occupies a wide variety of habitats, favoring open areas where it can hunt efficiently. It is frequently found in grasslands, cultivated fields, heathlands, forest edges, parks, and even urban and suburban environments. It requires open areas for its characteristic hunting flight, but also perches (trees, poles, cliffs, buildings) to observe its prey.

Northern European and Asian populations are migratory, wintering in warmer southern regions. Populations in Southern Europe, Africa, and Asia are generally sedentary.

Distribution Map

Conservation Status

The Common Kestrel is classified as "Least Concern" (LC) on the IUCN Red List. This classification is due to its extremely wide range and a global population considered stable, even slightly increasing in some regions.

Despite this favorable status, the kestrel faces some threats, particularly the modification of its hunting habitats (agricultural intensification, use of pesticides reducing prey availability) and the destruction of its nesting sites (building renovation, tree felling). Collisions with vehicles, wind turbines, and power lines also represent causes of mortality. However, its great adaptability and ability to use artificial nest boxes allow it to maintain its populations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main characteristics of the Common Kestrel?

The Common Kestrel is a slender small to medium-sized bird of prey, measuring between 32 and 39 cm (12-15 inches) with a wingspan of 65 to 82 cm (25-32 inches). It is most recognizable by its characteristic hovering flight, often called the 'Spirit-hover', where it remains stationary in the air against the wind. Males have a grey-blue head and tail, while females are more uniformly rufous. Both sexes have spotted plumage and fine, powerful talons.

Where does the Common Kestrel live and what are its preferred habitats?

The Common Kestrel is one of the most widespread birds of prey, occupying a vast range across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It prefers open environments such as cultivated fields, grasslands, heathlands, but adapts very well to urban settings, nesting in buildings or cliffs. It requires open spaces for hunting and perches to observe its prey.

What does the Common Kestrel primarily eat?

Its diet mainly consists of small rodents (voles, mice) and large insects (grasshoppers, crickets, beetles). It can also hunt small birds, lizards, and earthworms, adapting its diet to locally available resources. Its hovering flight allows it to precisely pinpoint its prey before swooping down.

How does the Common Kestrel reproduce?

The Common Kestrel does not build its own nest. It uses existing cavities in cliffs, trees, old nests of other birds of prey or corvids, and often settles in nest boxes or crevices of buildings in urban areas. The female typically lays 3 to 6 eggs, incubated mainly by her for about 27 to 29 days. Young leave the nest after 27 to 32 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks.