Image sourcing: see credits & licences
Quick answer
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small falcon famous for hovering head-to-wind over farmland, verges, and towns while hunting voles and large insects. It breeds across Europe, Asia, and Africa — including busy UK motorway corridors — weighs about 200 g, and is listed Least Concern, though some European farmland populations have fallen.
Top questions about the Common Kestrel
Common Kestrel facts at a glance
- Weight 200 g
- Length 34 cm
- Top speed 70 km/h
- Lifespan 10 years
| Scientific name | Falco tinnunculus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (small mammals and insects) |
| Habitat | Open country, farmland, cliffs, and cities |
| Lifespan | Around 10 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.2 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 70 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
Where it lives
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is native to Farmland and towns across Europe, Asia, and Africa; common over UK motorway verges. — recorded across Europe, Asia, Africa in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a common kestrel?
An adult common kestrel measures 34 cm long — about 20% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 200 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of common kestrels called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Common Kestrels is called a flight.
Baby name
A baby Common Kestrel is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
The hovering falcon
Kestrels face into the wind and beat their wings to stay nearly stationary, scanning the ground for movement. Males are russet with a grey head; females are more uniformly brown-barred. They nest on cliffs, buildings, and nest boxes.
Voles, shrews, and beetles
Small mammals — especially voles — dominate the diet in temperate farmland, supplemented by grasshoppers, beetles, lizards, and small birds. Ultraviolet-sensitive vision may help them spot vole scent marks on vegetation.
Farmland to city centres
Open country, farmland, cliffs, and towns across Europe, Asia, and Africa. UK birds often hunt motorway verges where short grass reveals rodents.
Farmland declines in Europe
Still Least Concern overall, but intensified agriculture, fewer nest sites, and rodenticide exposure have cut numbers in parts of western Europe. Nest boxes on barns and pylons help local recovery.
Explore the Common Kestrel
Related Birds
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Common Kestrel
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Common Kestrel
Why do kestrels hover?
Hovering lets them scan grassland for voles and insects without a perch, especially in open farmland and roadside verges.
Can kestrels see vole urine trails?
Evidence suggests kestrels can detect ultraviolet reflectance from vole scent marks, helping them find hunting hotspots.
What do common kestrels eat?
Mainly small mammals such as voles, plus large insects, lizards, and occasional small birds.
Are kestrels falcons?
Yes — they belong to the genus Falco, the true falcons.
Where do kestrels nest in cities?
On ledges, church towers, industrial buildings, and nest boxes — wherever they have a scrape and open hunting ground nearby.
What is a group of common kestrels called?
A group of Common Kestrels is called a flight.
What is a baby common kestrel called?
A baby Common Kestrel is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Common Kestrel:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Falco tinnunculus.
-
iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Falco tinnunculus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
-
GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Falco tinnunculus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
-
eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Common Kestrel. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
-
Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
