| Kestrel | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male common kestrel feeding his chicks in Negev desert | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Falconiformes |
| Family: | Falconidae |
| Subfamily: | Falconinae |
| Genus: | Falco Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Species | |
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See § Groups | |
The term kestrel (from French: crécerelle, derivative from crécelle, i.e. ratchet) is the common name given to several species of predatory birds from the falcon genus Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around 10–20 metres (35–65 ft) over open country and swoop down on ground prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects, while other falcons are more adapted for active hunting during flight.