Common Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Fairly common residents with 58,000 pairs breeding in Britain & Ireland around farmlands, declining.

Also breeds in mainland Europe & Africa.

Adults have a mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. 

Males have fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. 

 The tail is brown with black bars in Females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes.

All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.

Juveniles look like adult Females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. 

They are regulary seen hovering.