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Common Kestrel
(Falco tinnunculus)
: "European Kestrel", "Eurasian Kestrel", "Old World Kestrel", "Kestrel"
Size: 32-39 cm; wing span 65-82 cm
Weight: 136-252 g (male), 154-314 g (female)
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Common Kestrels are small birds of prey. Their
plumage is
dimorphic, i.e.
males and
females
are slightly different.
Male
Common Kestrels have a grey head (lores, crown, nape of
the neck), while
females have a brown head (only the areas under the eyes
and the stripes behind the eyes are grey, as the males').
While male Common Kestrels have a grey rump and uppertail,
with a black terminal band, females have a
grey rump with a gradual change of the colour of the tail
from grey at the rump to brown near the tip. The uppertail has
fine bars, with a black subterminal band and a thin white
terminal band.
Both sexes have the "tear drop pattern" characteristic of
many species of falcons.
Morphological details depend on race. In general, Common
Kestrels have a
light-brown front with many dark spots. The wing coverts are
brown to rich chestnut-brown, again with lots of dark spots.
While the front of the body is spotted (see above), the underwings
and undertail are patterned with many fine bars in various shades
of grey and greyish-brown. The tail has a white terminal band
and a black subterminal band.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Common
Kestrel at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Common Kestrel is available
HERE
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There are many different races of Common Kestrels, which
altogether have a wide-ranging distribution.
Common Kestrels, nominate race "tinnunculus", are
found throughout
central and western Europe, south-eastern Europe, Turkey and
the Middle East. Their range continues along scattered locations
in central Asia.
In East Asia race "interstinctus" is found.
Race "rupicolaeformis"
is found on the Arabian peninsula (and islands to the North), with
the exception of the Red Sea coastline (which is part of the range
of nominate race "tinnunculus").
For details on the distribution of other races see
Wikipedia (or this
range map)
In Arabia Common Kestrels, race "rupicolaeformis",
are most commonly found partly as migratory winter visitors and
partly as residents in the UAE, but also in the eastern parts of
Saudi Arabia.
In Oman Common Kestrels, race "rupicolaeformis",
populate parts of the (near-)coastal fringe. Along the North
and East coast and the nearby mountain ranges mostly winter visitors
are found. In the South of Oman they also go farther inland, to
the border region with Saudi Arabia. Near the eastern tip of Oman
there is also a resident population.
In their natural habitat, Common Kestrels roost and nest on
rockfaces and in rock crevices. They have adapted well to the
presence of humans and are also found in urban environments,
under awnings and in open sheds or barns.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "rupicolaeformis"
A Common Kestrel, race "rupicolaeformis",
was first spotted and identified by us hovering near a major highway
close to Qurm, Oman, in December 2009.
Next a Common Kestrel, race "rupicolaeformis",
was seen on the Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, in
January/February 2010 and another in Jebel Akhdar, South-west of
Muscat, in February 2010.
A Common Kestrel, race "rupicolaeformis",
was also spotted near Sohar in May 2010.
All photos presented below, taken in May 2010, were obtained at Sun
Farms, Sohar (Batinah region). Special permission to enter the
premises for bird photography is hereby most gratefully acknowledged.
Race "tinnunculus"
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Photos |
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Race "rupicolaeformis"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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Dorsal view of a male Common Kestrel in gliding flight
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]
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FEMALE |
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Lateral view of a female Common Kestrel on a power pole; note
the brown crown
[Sun Farms, Sohar, May 2010]
The same female Common Kestrel, now seen with its head turned
[Sun Farms, Sohar, May 2010]
This more distant view shows the relative length of a Common Kestrel's
wings and tail
[Sun Farms, Sohar, May 2010]
Lateral view of a female Common Kestrel in flight
[Sun Farms, Sohar, May 2010]
Here a different angle
[Sun Farms, Sohar, May 2010]
Race "tinnunculus"
Common Kestrels, nominate race
"tinnunculus",
were photographed by us in
Europe.
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Call(s)/Song |
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For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own; are welcome.
More Common Kestrel sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
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These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
are welcome.