Lesser Kestrel vs Rock Kestrel

Lesser Kestrel

Falco naumanni

Medium152 gGrassland

It is a small bird of prey, 27–33 cm (11–13 in) in length with a 63–72 cm (25–28 in) wingspan. It looks very much like the larger common kestrel but has proportionally shorter wings and tail. It shares a brown back and barred grey underparts with the larger species. The male has a grey head and tail like male common kestrels, but lacks the dark spotting on the back, the black malar stripe, and has grey patches in the wings. The female and young birds are slightly paler than their relative, but are so similar that call and structure are better guides than plumage.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: fabca121 · CC BY 4.0

Rock Kestrel

Falco rupicolus

183 gDesert

A slender, medium-sized kestrel, between 30 and 33 centimeters tall. Adult male kestrels weigh between 183g and 254g, while females weigh between 190g and 280g.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Andrew Deacon · CC0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Lesser Kestrel and Rock Kestrel.