The Kestrel, a bird of prey commonly observed in Britain, is prevalent throughout western and northern Europe. These birds can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from bustling cities to remote hillsides. Often spotted hovering in search of food or perched on roadside wires, telegraph poles, and fences, Kestrels possess distinctive features such as their size, long tail, and pointed wings. Although male and female Kestrels may appear similar at first glance, a closer inspection will reveal numerous differences between the two. Both sexes share a small hooked bill with a grey-black tip and yellow base, large black eye with yellow eyering, and yellow feet with black claws.
Female birds can be easily identified by their size and distinctive appearance. Their coloring is a mix of rufous and dark bars, with a brown crown and nape that display fine dark streaks. The cheeks and throat are white, with a noticeable black moustache. The rufous mantle features dark bars that extend to the wing-coverts, while the barred rump is slightly greyer brown. The tail is characterized by six to seven prominent dark bars and a white tip.
The male bird exhibits a blue-grey head with slightly paler cheeks, accompanied by a dark moustache and buff throat patch. Its mantle and wing-coverts are chestnut in color, with black spotting. The rump and tail are pale blue-grey, except for the broad black wing bar. Notably, the bird's underparts display pinkish-white coloring, featuring distinctive black 'teardrops' from the upper breast to the belly. The undertailcovert area is whitish, and the undertail itself is greyish with a black tip.
Kestrels have a whip-like, deep wingbeat in ‘normal’ flight, interspersed with glides.
During flight, the distinctions between male and female birds are readily apparent. The male's head and tail are characterized by a striking grey hue that stands in stark contrast to the black and chestnut tones of its wings. In contrast, the female's upperparts exhibit a noticeable rufous coloration. It is important to also observe the tail pattern, specifically the presence of multiple bars.
The Kestrel is commonly observed in the traditional posture of head down, tail forward, flapping as needed, and hovering into the wind. However, Kestrels also soar gracefully with wings held forward and tail spread.
The juvenile Kestrel exhibits a similar appearance to the female, with the exception of a more vibrant, reddish rump and pronounced streaks on the underparts. The bare parts of the bird are comparable to those of the male and female, though the legs and feet may appear to be more orange in color.
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