Distribution of the species
This species is widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa. It is widespread and numerous on the Balkan Peninsula. They are found in the largest populations in Croatia and Greece. In Bulgaria this species is found as a permanent, migratory and wintering species.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
In Bulgaria, the Common kestrel has a body length of 33 cm and a wingspan of 75 cm. The plumage of the males is gray-blue head and tail, red-brown back and below is light brown with sparse strokes. The female specimen is brown with black strokes at the top and cream with black strokes at the bottom. The juveniles resemble the females, but they are lighter with fuzzy spots on the body. At all ages and genders, the tail is long with a black stripe at the end. Their beak is short, curved downwards with a toothed growth of the upper arm.
During migrations it forms spare flocks along the coasts. These species overwinter in valleys and foothills. They inhabit various biotopes. It feed on other small animals.
Conservation status
Unknown.
Conservation state
The species is included in Annex 3 of the Biodiversity Act (BDA) as well as in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – with the category “Least Concern” (LC).
*Note: For the description of birds is used information from: Golemanski, V. & al. (eds). 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vol. 2. Animals. BAS & MoEW, Sofia [English ed.: ISBN 978-954-9746-22-8 (IBER – BAS), 978-954-8497-18-3 (MoEW)]; Michev T., D. Simeonov, L. Profirov. 2012. Birds of the Balkan Peninsula. Ecotan, Sofia, 300 pp; the website of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).