LesserKestrel

The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small falcon. It is a small bird of prey, 27–33 cm in length with a 63–72 cm 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. The Lesser Kestrel eats insects, but also small birds, reptiles and rodents (especially mice), which are often taken on the ground.