Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

34cm. Distinctive long tail and pointed wings. Male has a grey head, black-tipped grey tail and dark-flecked russet back. Female and juvenile lack the grey head, and have a brown tail with narrow bars, and more dark flecks on the back.

VOICE

Noisy at nest-site; rasping ‘kee-kee-kee-kee’ call.

HABITAT

Farmland, moorland and other open areas. Breeds in cities and towns; may be seen flying over gardens. Resident across Europe; northern and eastern European populations migrate during autumn.

FOOD AND HABITS

Hovers above grassland or perches on trees and pylons, ready to drop down on rodents in grass. Also feeds on small birds, large insects and lizards. Lays eggs in a hole or on a bare ledge.

Merlin

Falco columbarius

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

29cm. Small and compact falcon with short pointed wings. Male blue-grey above and buff with dark spots below, with indistinct moustaches. Female and juvenile brown above.

VOICE

Calls are ‘kee-kee-kee’.

HABITAT

British breeding population is at the south-west limit of the species’ European range; thinly scattered across upland moorland from south-west England north to Shetland. Often found on coast in winter. Nowhere common.

FOOD AND HABITS

Feeds on small birds, which it hunts in fast flight close to the ground. Nest usually on the ground, among heather.

Hobby

Falco subbuteo

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

32cm. Dashing little falcon that looks like a large swift in flight. Dark slaty-grey above with dark moustaches on white cheeks and throat, and red thighs.

VOICE

A repeated clear ‘kew-kew-kew’.

HABITAT

Summer visitor, nests mostly on heathland, commoner in south. Visits coastal wetlands before and after breeding, sometimes in groups of 10 or more.

FOOD AND HABITS

Feeds on small birds, and large insects such as dragonflies, which are often eaten in flight. Usually nests in an abandoned crow’s nest.

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

45cm. Large and compact falcon with a heavy build. Adults have strong black moustaches and horizontal barring on underparts, and are bluish steely-grey above.

Female larger than male. Largest British falcon.

VOICE

Calls are ‘kee-kee-kee’.

HABITAT

Resident, nests on sheer cliffs and buildings both on coast and inland, often hunts gatherings of birds on estuaries and coastal marsh in winter.

FOOD AND HABITS

Feeds on birds, including feral pigeons. Circles high up waiting for prey to fly below, then plunges at high speed in pursuit. Eggs laid in a bare scrape.