Kestrel

The Common Kestrel is a small bird of prey known for its unique way of hunting. It can hover in the air, staying still with wings beating quickly and tail spread out. Male kestrels have blue-grey heads and tails with chestnut-brown backs covered in spots. Female kestrels are a reddish-brown colour with heavy stripes all over. Both males and females have pointed wings and long tails when flying, with dark tips on their wings and bands at the end of their tails. Kestrels are found widely across the UK, as well as much of Europe, Asia, and Africa. They prefer open areas such as farmland, heathland, roadsides, and towns. They hunt by either hovering in the air or sitting on a perch. Their diet mainly consists of small mammals like voles, but they also eat large insects and sometimes small birds. You can often hear their sharp "kee-kee-kee" call near their nests, which are usually in holes in trees, on cliff edges, or in buildings.