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[[Image:Common_Kestrel_-_female.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by IanF <br />Location: Hartlepool, Cleveland, UK ]] | [[Image:Common_Kestrel_-_female.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by IanF <br />Location: Hartlepool, Cleveland, UK ]] | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
+ | 32-39 cm. Light chestnut, black spotted upperparts, buff, black streaked below, black remiges, black malar stripe, black tipped tail with narrow white rim, bright yellow eye ring, cere and feet, dark iris, bill and talons. '''Male''' - fewer black spots and streaks, blue-grey cap and tail. '''Female''' - brown tail with black bars. | ||
+ | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | Europe, Asia and Africa. | + | Europe, Asia and Africa. |
By far the most numerous falcon [[Europe]] and found from the [[British Isles]] and northern [[Norway]] south to the Mediterranean and the major Mediterranean islands and from [[Iberia]] east to [[Russia]]. Also found throughout [[Turkey]] and the [[Middle East]], and breeds across [[Asia]] to the Pacific coast of the Russian Far East, [[China]], [[Korea]] and [[Japan]]. In [[Africa]] breeds in the north from [[Morocco]] to the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara from [[Senegal]] east to [[Ethiopia]] and south to the [[Cape]] but absent from the forests of central Africa. | By far the most numerous falcon [[Europe]] and found from the [[British Isles]] and northern [[Norway]] south to the Mediterranean and the major Mediterranean islands and from [[Iberia]] east to [[Russia]]. Also found throughout [[Turkey]] and the [[Middle East]], and breeds across [[Asia]] to the Pacific coast of the Russian Far East, [[China]], [[Korea]] and [[Japan]]. In [[Africa]] breeds in the north from [[Morocco]] to the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara from [[Senegal]] east to [[Ethiopia]] and south to the [[Cape]] but absent from the forests of central Africa. | ||
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Vagrants have been recorded north to [[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and [[Svalbard]] and also south on the [[Azores]]. Also recorded in [[Sumatra]] and in the Americas in [[Alaska]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Jersey]] and on [[Martinique]]. | Vagrants have been recorded north to [[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and [[Svalbard]] and also south on the [[Azores]]. Also recorded in [[Sumatra]] and in the Americas in [[Alaska]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Jersey]] and on [[Martinique]]. | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
About 11 races are recognised: nominate race ''tinnunculus'' is present in [[Europe]] and over most of northern [[Asia]], replaced by the smaller, darker and more richly-coloured ''rupicolaeformis'' in [[Egypt]] and the Middle East. ''F. t. interstinctus'' occurs from the Himalayas to [[Japan]] and ''objurgatus'' in southern [[India]]. The heavily barred ''archeri'' is found on Socotra and in [[Somalia]] and coastal north [[Kenya]], the dark and more chestnut ''rufescens'' in much of mainland [[Africa]] with the greyer and less sexually dimorphic ''rupicola'' in southern Africa. The small and dark ''canariensis'' is found on [[Madeira]] and the western [[Canary Islands]] and the paler, more heavily-spotted ''dacotiae'' in the eastern Canaries. Again small and dark, the race ''neglectus'' occurs in the northern [[Cape Verde Islands]] and the larger and more rufous ''alexandri'' in the south-east of the group. | About 11 races are recognised: nominate race ''tinnunculus'' is present in [[Europe]] and over most of northern [[Asia]], replaced by the smaller, darker and more richly-coloured ''rupicolaeformis'' in [[Egypt]] and the Middle East. ''F. t. interstinctus'' occurs from the Himalayas to [[Japan]] and ''objurgatus'' in southern [[India]]. The heavily barred ''archeri'' is found on Socotra and in [[Somalia]] and coastal north [[Kenya]], the dark and more chestnut ''rufescens'' in much of mainland [[Africa]] with the greyer and less sexually dimorphic ''rupicola'' in southern Africa. The small and dark ''canariensis'' is found on [[Madeira]] and the western [[Canary Islands]] and the paler, more heavily-spotted ''dacotiae'' in the eastern Canaries. Again small and dark, the race ''neglectus'' occurs in the northern [[Cape Verde Islands]] and the larger and more rufous ''alexandri'' in the south-east of the group. | ||
+ | ==Habitat== | ||
+ | Today a familiar bird along motorway verges and on farmland but also found in a wide range of open habitats. Requires trees, rocks or buildings for nesting and open grassland, heathland or cultivation with an abundant supply of voles and other small rodents. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Behaviour== | ||
+ | It hovers when hunting and the diet includes voles, shrews and mice. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3-6 brown spotted eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 4 weeks. The young fledge 4-5 weeks later. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | Wikipedia | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Falco+tinnunculus}} | {{GSearch|Falco+tinnunculus}} | ||
− | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Falco]] | |
− | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Falco |
Revision as of 17:11, 17 February 2009
Alternative names: Eurasian Kestrel; Rock Kestrel
Includes Greater Cape Verde Kestrel; Lesser Cape Verde Kestrel
- Falco tinnunculus
Identification
32-39 cm. Light chestnut, black spotted upperparts, buff, black streaked below, black remiges, black malar stripe, black tipped tail with narrow white rim, bright yellow eye ring, cere and feet, dark iris, bill and talons. Male - fewer black spots and streaks, blue-grey cap and tail. Female - brown tail with black bars.
Distribution
Europe, Asia and Africa.
By far the most numerous falcon Europe and found from the British Isles and northern Norway south to the Mediterranean and the major Mediterranean islands and from Iberia east to Russia. Also found throughout Turkey and the Middle East, and breeds across Asia to the Pacific coast of the Russian Far East, China, Korea and Japan. In Africa breeds in the north from Morocco to the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to the Cape but absent from the forests of central Africa.
Northernmost populations are migratory, the remainder resident or with the young birds dispersive. Autumn passage extends from August-November and birds return to southern parts of breeding range in February and as late as June in the north. The Common Kestrel is a broad-front migrant but is seen in good numbers along the major migration routes.
Vagrants have been recorded north to Iceland, the Faroes and Svalbard and also south on the Azores. Also recorded in Sumatra and in the Americas in Alaska, Massachusetts, New Jersey and on Martinique.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
About 11 races are recognised: nominate race tinnunculus is present in Europe and over most of northern Asia, replaced by the smaller, darker and more richly-coloured rupicolaeformis in Egypt and the Middle East. F. t. interstinctus occurs from the Himalayas to Japan and objurgatus in southern India. The heavily barred archeri is found on Socotra and in Somalia and coastal north Kenya, the dark and more chestnut rufescens in much of mainland Africa with the greyer and less sexually dimorphic rupicola in southern Africa. The small and dark canariensis is found on Madeira and the western Canary Islands and the paler, more heavily-spotted dacotiae in the eastern Canaries. Again small and dark, the race neglectus occurs in the northern Cape Verde Islands and the larger and more rufous alexandri in the south-east of the group.
Habitat
Today a familiar bird along motorway verges and on farmland but also found in a wide range of open habitats. Requires trees, rocks or buildings for nesting and open grassland, heathland or cultivation with an abundant supply of voles and other small rodents.
Behaviour
It hovers when hunting and the diet includes voles, shrews and mice.
3-6 brown spotted eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 4 weeks. The young fledge 4-5 weeks later.
References
Wikipedia