Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Wingspan 65-80cm

Britain's commonest and most familiar raptor and the only one which habitually hovers and hunts along motorway verges. Male has spotted, orange-brown back, blue-grey head and blue-grey tail with terminal black band. Female has barred, brown plumage. Nests in trees and on cliff ledges but also in man-made settings such as window ledges on office blocks. Feeds primarily on small mammals but takes insects in summer months. Widespread in Britain and Ireland.