Eurasian Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Also known as:Common Kestrel, European Kestrel, Old World Kestrel

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Identification

35 cm (14") Rare. Aleutians, east coast.

Male: similar to American Kestrel but has only one facial stripe, a gray tail, and the male has rusty wings not blue-gray.

Female or Immature: brown wings. Single facial stripe. Wedge-shaped tail.

In flight; often hovers.

Details in the field

3 photos

Credit: gynti

Watch and learn

2 videos

birds nl... common kestrel

Credit: Bird Jamboree

Poštolka obecná - Falco tinnunculus - Eurasian Kestrel - Turmfalke - Cernícalo vulgar

Credit: 560Vladimir

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Pointed · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the TAIL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, brownish red, cinnamon · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Southeastern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:379-eurasian-kestrel:1:1 Source: 379 Eurasian Kestrel, row 1

Rule 2 12 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the TAIL ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, brownish red, cinnamon · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Southeastern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:379-eurasian-kestrel:2:1 Source: 379 Eurasian Kestrel, row 2