ID Keys: Ruddy brown upperparts with spots, buffy underside with
black streaks, black-tipped tail, blue-gray crown on male
The
Eurasian Kestrel (also known as the Common Kestrel) is the Eurasian
equivalent to the American Kestrel,
although it is a somewhat larger bird. Females are noticeably larger than
males. While both sexes are similar in overall appearance, male Eurasian
Kestrels tend to have fewer dark spots and streaks, and also sport a
bluish-gray crown that is lacking on females. They are found through much of
temperate Europe and Asia, from western Europe, eastward through Asia
through Russia, China, and Japan, along with populations in north Africa. It
is thought that Kestrels can see light in the ultraviolet spectrum, allowing
them to see reflected light from urine trails of their typical small rodent
prey. In North America they are known from a handful of scattered sightings
that have occurred near both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Sightings include birds in the far western Aleutians, British Columbia, Nova
Scotia, Florida, and Cape Cod.
Habitat
Found in a variety of semi-open habitats, including grasslands, agricultural lands, and semi-arid regions. They can also be found in semi-forested areas such as open woodlands or near woodland edges. Some have adapted well to a human presence, and they can be found along transportation corridors and suburban areas.
Diet
The Eurasian Kestrel feeds primarily on small mammals, especially voles, mice, and shrews. It also consumes birds, lizards, frogs, large insects, and occasionally earthworms, depending on local prey availability. Eurasian Kestrels are famous for their ability to hover in place while scanning the ground before diving to capture prey with their talons.
Behavior
They are usually solitary birds outside of the breeding season, although while in migration they may form small loose groups of up to a dozen birds. Hunting methodology is often done by hovering, with birds facing into a wind with occasional wing flapping, or through continuous flapping while they look down for prey. They will also use prominent perches and peer down to the ground, swooping out to grab small rodent that it spots. On occasion they will also use a ground-hugging flight, flying low to the ground and surprising prey that it stumbles across.
Nesting
The nest site of a Eurasian Kestrel may be in a tree cavity, a crook in a tree, on an abandoned building, on a cliff ledge, or in the abandoned nest of another species (nests of Corvid species are often used). They do not build their own nest, although they may modify a location by adding a few sticks or other material. Three to six eggs are typically laid, with the female doing most of the incubation. Incubation takes about 30 days. After the eggs hatch, for the first week or two, the female primarily stays with the hatchlings, feeding them food that is brought by the male. Later, both parents may hunt and feed the young. Young fledge after 30 to 40 days.
Song
The Eurasian Kestrel is generally not a highly vocal species, but it frequently gives a sharp, rapid series of calls often described as kee-kee-kee. These calls are most commonly heard during the breeding season, territorial disputes, or when birds are alarmed. Nesting adults and recently fledged young also use a variety of high-pitched calls to communicate with one another.
Migration
The Eurasian Kestrel is partially migratory, with movement patterns varying by region. Birds breeding in northern and eastern Europe and Asia typically migrate southward to warmer areas during winter, while many populations in western and southern Europe remain year-round residents. Migration usually occurs during the day, and individuals often travel alone or in small groups.
Similar in overall structure and appearance to the American Kestrel. The Eurasian Kestrel is larger and less colorful than the American Kestrel. American Kestrels have bold facial markings with two dark vertical stripes on the face and males display bright blue-gray wings and rich rusty coloration, features lacking in Eurasian Kestrels. Eurasian Kestrels appear more uniformly brown and gray and are especially known for their frequent hovering while hunting over open fields.
Conservation Status
Populations are likely declining. The primary threat is likely habitat loss, both with agricultural intensification in Europe and Asia, but also land use change in Africa. Other threats include the impacts of some pesticides, energy development such as wind farms, and direct hunting activity. However, overall Eurasian Kestrels are found over a very wide geographic range and are common in many locations. The IUCN lists the Eurasian Kestrel as a species of "Least Concern" .
Photo Information
Photo taken on November 10th, 2006 at Glamorgan, Wales, in Great Britain - Photo by Paul Roberts - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 2.0 Generic License
