© monacoeye • Female kestrel hovering, France • 2009

Bird name: Common Kestrel
Latin: Falco tinnunculus
Other: Kestrel (UK), Faucon Crécerelle (Fr), Turmfalke (De), Cernícalo vulgar (Es), Gheppio comune (It), Torenvalk (Nl), Tornfalk (Sv), Peneireiro-vulgar (Pt)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Kestrels
Range: Europe, Asia, India, Africa
Similar: Lesser Kestrel

The male Kestrel has a grey cap and tail, while the female is brown. Both have the dark malar stripe characteristic of falcons.

There are many races of Kestrel each with slightly different patterning. In France the nominate tinnunculus race is present, while in Gambia the rufescens race is found (see below). Male rufescens have more heavily barred upperside than tinnunculus; female rufescens are deeper brown and more barred than tinnunculus.

Kestrels are one of the most abundant and visible birds of prey in Europe - often seen hovering in mid air before swooping down to catch a lizard or small mammal.

They are small birds, a little larger than pigeons.

Below, male Common Kestrel wing pattern. Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus, France


Common Kestrel brings agama lizard to juv? Falco tinnunculus rufescens


Below, Common Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus rufescens. Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Grey Kestrel
Latin: Falco ardosiaceus
Other: Gray Kestrel (US), Faucon ardoisé (Fr), Cernícalo pizarroso (Es), Gheppio grigio (It), grijze torenvalk (Nl), Grå tornfalk (Sv)
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Kestrels
Range: W, C Africa - incl Gambia
Similar:

We saw this Grey Kestrel perched in a palm beside the river on MacCarthy Island, in the Gambia. Large amount of yellow around the eyes.

Below, Grey Kestrel, Gambia River, Gambia, Feb 2013.
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Copyright TH/monacoeye

Bird name: Nankeen Kestrel
Latin: Falco cenchroides
Other:
Family: Falconidae • Falcons, Kestrels
Range: Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand vagrant
Similar:

A shot of a falconer’s bird.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Metropolitan Park, Panama • 29 April 2010

Bird name: American Kestrel
Latin: Falco sparverius
Other: Quiriquiri (Br), Falcão-americano • Cernícalo americano (Es), Halconcito colorado
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: Alaska to Argentina

This American Kestrel was sheltering from a downpour in the eves of an amenity building at the Parque Natural Metropolitano in Panama City.

The American Kestrel is a small falcon, widely distributed throughout the Americas.

Other observations: Mostardas, Brazil, November 2009, a pair roosting on the town satellite tower.More photos...