The Kestrel is the commonest daytime raptor in Europe. It is found throughout most of temperate and tropical Europe, Asia and Africa. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

It has adapted to a wide variety of habitats but prefers shrubby, more open country provided there are trees, telegraph poles, buildings, etc. on which it can roost.

It seems to have benefited from the building of Motorways whose verges provide a very good habitat for the voles which constitute the bulk of the Kestrel's diet in Europe.

The male has a grey head and tail while the female, as in photos 1 and 2, show a brown head and has a barred tail.