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The Common Kestrel is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family, the species has an almost global distribution and is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as being seen on the east coast of North America.

The Kestrel is small compared with other birds of prey, but slightly larger than most songbirds. Kestrels have long wings as well as a distinctive long tail. The Kestrel’s plumage is a fawn brown with dark spots. Unlike most hawks they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having a blue-grey head and tail, females remain brown.

Kestrels are diurnal and prefer an “open country” habitat found in fields, heaths, and marshland. When hunting, the Kestrel hovers about 20 m above the ground searching for prey. Once prey is sighted, the Kestrel makes a short, steep dive toward the target. It can often be found hunting along the sides of roads and motorways whose verges provide a very good habitat for the voles which constitute the bulk of the Kestrel’s diet in Europe. It has recently been shown that the Kestrel is able to see in the near ultraviolet. This allows them to detect the urine trails around rodent burrows, which reflect ultraviolet light.

Kestrels prey upon small mammals, including voles, as well as small birds, large insects, earthworms, and frogs.