The Bedford Estates, London
Overview
The common kestrel is a bird of prey, with a typical wingspan of around 75cm.
Their distinctive hovering technique makes the common kestrel easy to spot, you'll often see them hovering above the roadside verges. Field voles make up the majority of their diet, but they will also eat mice, shrews, small birds, and occasionally, worms and insects too.
All about us
| Distribution: | Kestrels can be found across the UK in a variety of habitats |
|---|---|
| Habitat: | grassland, farmland, upland, urban |
| Height: | 32–39 cm |
| Weight: | 180g |
| Lifespan: | Average age in the wild is 4 years, in captivity they can live over 17 years |
About us
Scientific name: Falco tinnunculus
Despite being listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, the UK’s kestrel population has sadly fallen by half since 1970. Faced with a number of threats including an increase in agriculture causing a reduction in the field vole numbers, and a loss of nesting sites.
Common kestrel facts
