Common Kestrel

Appearance

This is a migratory bird that flies south in winter, at which time the kestrel inhabits large parts of North and Central Africa. This bird of prey can be recognized mainly by its plumage, which is reddish-brown in color. The wings and tail are darkly spotted from above, while the underside is lighter. The beak and legs are a dark yellow and have black claws or a black tip. Another distinctive feature of the kestrel is its relatively small size. These birds are on average 360 millimeters long and have a wingspan of 700 millimeters. The females are always larger than the males.

Diet

Finally, the kestrel's special flight, which is used primarily for hunting, should be mentioned. The bird can hover in the air by flapping its wings. From this excellent vantage point, the falcon scans the ground for prey and dives down at lightning speed when it spots an animal to hunt. The kestrel's preferred diet includes, among other things: small rodents, reptiles and smaller birds, which the falcon catches straight from the air.

Behavior

The kestrel usually lives in a fixed territory, which is particularly defended against intruders during the mating season and breeding period. The best breeding sites are highly contested, as these are the center of the kestrel's world for the next three months after egg-laying. However, even if a male has a good breeding site, this increases the chance that a female will join them.