kestrel

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Small hawk that breeds in Europe, Asia, and Africa. About 30 cm/1 ft long, the male has a bluish-grey head and tail and is light chestnut brown back with black spots on the back and pale with black spots underneath. The female is slightly larger and reddish brown above, with bars; she does not have the bluish-grey head. The kestrel hunts mainly by hovering in midair while searching for prey. It feeds on small mammals, insects, frogs, and worms. (Species Falco tinnunculus, family Falconidae, order Falconiformes.)

The kestrel rarely builds its own nest, but uses those of other birds, such as crows and magpies, or scrapes a hole on a cliff-ledge. The female lays between three and six eggs, and the kestrel has a lifespan of around seven years.

It is found all over Europe and Asia and most parts of Africa, and most birds migrate southwards in winter.

The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is an inhabitant of southern Europe. The American kestrel or sparrowhawk (F. sparverius) is somewhat smaller, and occurs in most of North America. It is russet, grey, and tan in colour, with the male having more grey on its wings.

Blue represents the black population and links with Africa. Red stands for those of mixed race. The original blue and red flag was based on the French tricolour. Effective date: 25 February 1986. >>