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Eurasian Kestrel

Eurasian Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Migration Flyway

Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species

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About the Eurasian Kestrel

The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel or Old World kestrel, is a species of predatory bird belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. In the United Kingdom, where no other kestrel species commonly occurs, it is generally just called the "kestrel". This species occurs over a large native range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. It has colonized a few oceanic islands, but vagrant individuals are generally rare; in the whole of Micronesia for example, the species was only recorded twice each on Guam and Saipan in the Marianas.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Falco tinnunculus
Family
Falcons and Caracaras
Order
Falconiformes

Similar species

Other members of the falcons and caracaras family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • American Kestrel Falco sparverius
  • Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
  • Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis
  • Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
  • Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus
  • Crested Caracara Caracara plancus
  • Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
  • Guadalupe Caracara Caracara lutosa
  • Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus
  • Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
  • Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
  • Merlin Falco columbarius

Know when the Eurasian Kestrel turns up near you

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