Scientific name: Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758
Bird group: Birds-of-prey
Field characters. Length 32-39 cm; wingspan 65-80 cm. Rather small falcon with long, pointed wings, long tail, and habitual hovering flight. Male has black-spotted chestnut upperparts and dark-streaked buff underparts. Head, rump, and tail grey; tail with broad black subterminal band and narrow white tip. In female upperparts are rufous brown barred black; flight feathers dark and tail barred along whole length; underparts darker and more streaked than male, with more barring on underwing. Perches on trees, poles, buildings, rocks, etc.; scans the ground for prey during stationary hovering flight.
Voice. Usual call near the nesting area is a shrill, high-pitched "kee-kee-kee-kee".
Distribution. Common resident and summer visitor.
Habitat. Exploits a wide variety of habitats, ranging from cities with sufficient open space, well-timbered cultivated districts, moorland, heathland, grassland, savannah, parkland, grass-verged highways.
Food. Hunts for prey during characteristic hovering flight, searching for terrestrial animals. Feeds mainly on small mammals, especially voles and, to lesser extent, on birds.