Common Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

The Common Kestrel is a small (M 33 cm; F 39 cm) falcon, the male having a gray head, a gray tail with terminal black band, and rufous brown upperparts with black spotting and barring.  The underparts are buff streaked with black.  The larger female is brown overall with black barring above, and more heavily streaked below.  The wing tips are blackish, the iris is brown, the bill is gray with a yellow cere and the feet are yellow.

The Common Kestrel preys extensively on small mammals such as mice and shrews, and also feeds on snakes, lizards, large insects and birds.  It hunts from a perch or from the air, often hovering to look for prey below.  It favors open or moderately wooded habitats such as coasts, wetlands, fields and cultivated areas including lands near human habitations.

In Taiwan the Common Kestrel is a common winter resident. 

References:  Handbook of Birds of the World Vol. 2; A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); 100 Common Birds of Taiwan (Wild Bird Society of Taipei)