Bird GuideFalconsEurasian Kestrel

Eurasian Kestrel

Eurasian Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
At a Glance Range & Identification Back to Top

At a Glance

The Eurasian replacement for our American Kestrel is a larger bird (a little larger than a Merlin). Widespread across Europe and Asia, it has strayed to our area from both directions, with scattered records for the northeast and for Alaska and British Columbia.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Hawk-like Birds
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Forests and Woodlands
Behavior
Flap/Glide, Hovering

Range & Identification

Description

11-13" (29-32 cm). Larger than American Kestrel. Male has reddish brown back, gray tail with black band near tip, gray head. Female is duller brown, heavily barred on upperparts, streaked below.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Wing Shape
Rounded, Swept, Tapered
Tail Shape
Long, Rounded, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Shrill kee-kee-kee scream, similar to other falcons.