# Eurasian Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) The Eurasian Kestrel is a small bird of prey that loves to hover in the air while looking for food. With its beautiful feathers and sharp eyes, it is a skilled hunter that can spot tiny animals from high above. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Eurasian Kestrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Common_kestrel_falco_tinnunculus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andreas Trepte, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Common_kestrel_falco_tinnunculus.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Kestrel has a slender body with long, pointed wings and a fanned tail. Males feature a distinct grey head and tail, contrasting with a rufous-brown back and spotted breast. Females are generally browner overall, with a barred tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Falconiformes - **Family:** Falconidae - **Genus:** Falco ## Interesting facts - Did you know a kestrel can turn its head almost 270 degrees to look around? - Kestrels often use abandoned nests of crows or magpies instead of building their own! - Sometimes, multiple kestrel families nest close together, forming a mini bird community! - Their call sounds like 'kee-kee-kee', which helps you identify them in the wild. ## Special abilities - **Sky Anchor:** Eurasian Kestrel can hover perfectly still against the wind because of its specialized wings, helping it pinpoint prey on the ground. - **UV Super Sight:** Eurasian Kestrels have special eyes that can see ultraviolet light, helping them track invisible rodent scent trails. - **Precision Plunge:** Eurasian Kestrel can dive accurately onto tiny prey from high above because of its sharp talons and incredible focus. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 32-39 cm - **Wingspan:** 65-82 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.31 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-4 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 27-29 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding Kestrels mostly eat small creatures like mice and insects, catching them with a quick dive! - **Age differences:** Young kestrels eat more insects; adults increasingly hunt larger vertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Voles, Mice, Large Insects, Small Birds, Lizards - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Common Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-vole) (*Microtus arvalis*) — Primary prey, often spotted from above using hovering. - **Hunts:** Wood Mouse (*Apodemus sylvaticus*) — Frequently hunted small mammal in diverse habitats. - **Hunts:** [Migratory Locust](https://www.snappit.app/explore/migratory-locust) (*Locusta migratoria*) — Important food source, especially for younger kestrels. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Eagle-owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — Larger raptors can occasionally prey on kestrels. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Kestrel? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Kestrel? 32-39 cm ### What is Eurasian Kestrel's wingspan? 65-82 cm ### How much does Eurasian Kestrel weigh? 0.15-0.31 kg ### How long does Eurasian Kestrel live? 2-4 years ### How fast can Eurasian Kestrel move? 60 km/h ### What does Eurasian Kestrel eat? Kestrels mostly eat small creatures like mice and insects, catching them with a quick dive! ### Where is Eurasian Kestrel usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Sasso Simone and Simoncello Interregional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sasso-simone-and-simoncello-interregional-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Treja Valley Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/treja-valley-regional-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maro-cerro-gordo-cliffs-natural-area) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Monte Subasio Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monte-subasio-regional-park) — IT · Park - [Pantalica and Anapo Valley Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pantalica-and-anapo-valley-nature-reserve) — IT · Park - [Punta Aderci Regional Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/punta-aderci-regional-nature-reserve) — IT · Park [View all places to see Eurasian Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-kestrel) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Kestrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-kestrel)