All species
resident
Amber-listedFalcons
Common Kestrel
The UK's most common bird of prey, often seen hovering beside motorways. Kestrels have a distinctive pointed wing profile and rufous back.
Falco tinnunculus
Farmland Grassland Urban
Size
32-35 cm
Wingspan
71-80 cm
Weight
150-250 g
Lifespan
4 years
Diet
Small mammals, especially voles; also insects and small birds.
Song & Call
A sharp, repeated 'kee-kee-kee' call, often in flight.
Tap play to listen0:00
Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Lynsey Ireland · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Pointed wings
- Rufous back with black spots
- Hovering flight
Conservation
Amber-listed
Amber-listed; numbers fell in the past but recovering in some areas.
