The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to
the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae.
It is also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel
or Old World Kestrel. In Britain, where no other brown falcon occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range.
It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally
reaching the east coast of North America.
But although it has colonized a few oceanic islands, vagrant individuals are generally rare; in the whole of Micronesia for example, the species was only
recorded twice each on Guam and Saipan in the Marianas.
Common Kestrels measure 32–39 cm (13-15 in) from head to tail, with a wingspan of 65–82 cm (26-32 in). Females are noticeably larger
with the adult male weighing 136-252 g (c,5-9 oz), around 155 g (around 5.5 oz) on average; the adult female weighs 154-314 g (about 5.5-11 oz), around 184 g (around 6.5 oz) on average. They are thus small compared with other birds of prey
but larger than most songbirds. Like the other Falco species
they have long wings as well as a distinctive long tail.
