Common Kestrel
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(New page: Image:Image:CommonKestrel.JPG '''Common Name:''' Common Kestrel<br> '''Scientific Name:''' Falco tinnunculus '''Size:''' 13-15 inches (32-39 cm); '''Wingspan:''' 20.1-24 inches (65-8...) |
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'''Common Name:''' Common Kestrel<br> | '''Common Name:''' Common Kestrel<br> | ||
A number of subspecies of the common kestrel are known, though some are hardly distinct and may be invalid. Most of them differ little, although tropical African forms have less grey in the male plumage. | A number of subspecies of the common kestrel are known, though some are hardly distinct and may be invalid. Most of them differ little, although tropical African forms have less grey in the male plumage. | ||
* ''F. t. tinnunculus'' , described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is found in temperate areas of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia north of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya mountain ranges to the NW Sea of Okhotsk region. Northern Asian populations migrate south in winter, apparently not crossing the Himalayas but diverting to the west. | * ''F. t. tinnunculus'' , described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is found in temperate areas of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia north of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya mountain ranges to the NW Sea of Okhotsk region. Northern Asian populations migrate south in winter, apparently not crossing the Himalayas but diverting to the west. | ||
| - | * | + | * ''F. t. rupicolus'', described by Daudin in 1800. Known as the “Rock kestrel”. It is found in NW Angola and S Zaire to S Tanzania, and south to South Africa. Probably a distinct species, but its limits with ''F. t. rufescens'' require further study. It differs markedly from the other subspecies of the ''F. tinnunculus'' complex. In particular, the females have what in other subspecies are typically male characteristics such as a grey head and tail, and spotted rather than barred upper parts. The rock kestrel has less heavily marked, brighter chestnut upper parts and its under parts are also a bright chestnut that contrasts with the nearly unmarked white under wings. Females tend to have more black bands in the central tail feathers than males. The open mountain habitat also differs from that of its relatives. |
* ''F. t. rufescens'', described by Swainson in 1837. It is found in Sahel east to Ethiopia, southwards around Congo basin to S Tanzania and NE Angola. | * ''F. t. rufescens'', described by Swainson in 1837. It is found in Sahel east to Ethiopia, southwards around Congo basin to S Tanzania and NE Angola. | ||
* ''F. t. interstinctus'', described by McClelland in 1840. Breeds in East Asia from Tibet to Korea and Japan, south into Indochina. Winters to the south of its breeding range, from northeastern India to the Philippines. They are dark, heavily marked birds and have a foxed red phase, which is not reliably identified in the field. | * ''F. t. interstinctus'', described by McClelland in 1840. Breeds in East Asia from Tibet to Korea and Japan, south into Indochina. Winters to the south of its breeding range, from northeastern India to the Philippines. They are dark, heavily marked birds and have a foxed red phase, which is not reliably identified in the field. | ||
