Common Kestrel

The Common Kestrel or simply Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is one of the recorded bird species in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It belongs to the falcon family Falconidae, and is found in three different statuses in Saudi Arabia: as an uncommon resident breeder, an uncommon passage migrant, or an uncommon winter visitor. It is one of the most common falcons in Saudi Arabia, occurring across all regions as a resident breeder, with its numbers increasing in winter and during the spring migration. Its activity is particularly concentrated in al-Jubail in the Eastern Province.

The Common Kestrel breeds in rocky and mountainous areas and increasingly on buildings in agricultural regions, around villages and towns, and within cities. During winter, the Common Kestrel is found in open plains and deserts, including al-Rub' al-Khali (Empty Quarter). The number of breeding pairs in Saudi Arabia reaches 6,500 pairs annually.

The Common Kestrel is among 550 bird species recorded in Saudi Arabia, including 219 breeding species, 280 migratory species, and fifty-one vagrant species. Additionally, twenty-seven species are globally threatened with extinction. Saudi Arabia hosts nineteen species of birds that are endemic or semi-endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, as its geographical location between East Asia, Europe, and Africa makes it one of the world's most important bird migration routes.

The Common Kestrel measures between twenty-five cm and thirty-five cm in length. The male weighs between 136 g and 252 g, while the female is 20 percent heavier, with a weight ranging between 154 g and 319 g.

The Common Kestrel primarily feeds on small mammals, in addition to small birds and reptiles, including snakes, as well as large insects. It often locates its prey by hovering at low altitudes or from a perch before swiftly swooping down on its target. It also catches insects while in flight.

While searching for small mammals on the ground, the kestrel can see what humans cannot, as ultraviolet light reflects off the trails left by its prey.

The Common Kestrel is classified as a solitary bird with a territorial monogamous breeding system. The female incubates the eggs and feeds the chicks, while both parents share the responsibility of bringing food.

The nest is a shallow, unlined depression, located in a cavity, a cliff ledge, a rocky outcrop, a building, a structure, or an abandoned nest of another bird species, particularly crows. It may also nest in tree cavities or nest boxes.

The clutch consists of five eggs, with an incubation period of twenty-seven to thirty-one days. The nesting period also lasts between twenty-seven and thirty-one days, and breeding usually results in a single brood.

The Common Kestrel breeds within King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. In some Arab countries, it is referred to as the "Bashiq." It can appear in a variety of colors and is distinguished by its small size, light flight, and quick takeoff.

Globally, the Common Kestrel is a partial migrant, with resident populations found across most of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

The Common Kestrel is listed as "Least Concern" on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) both globally and regionally. While its global population trend is declining, its regional population is considered stable.