Predatory bird of medium size (about 33 cm or 13 in) with morphological differences between sexes. The males have red back, with black spots, while the underparts are cream with bars and a dark mottled. The head is grey, with a marked dark moustachial stripe. Wings ending in black tips. The females look more brown and have muted colours, both in the back and in the underparts. The moustachial stripe is less visible. Long, thin and pointed wings (about 78 cm or 2.5 ft wingspan) and long tail with black end bars.
Urban environments
Species not very demanding in terms of habitat, but it prefers open or cleared areas of scrubland and trees, cultivated areas, pastures and grasslands. Present also in urban areas. This bird avoids closed forests.
Bird resident all year round in Malaga. It breeds between the end of March and the beginning of April. Very undemanding when it is time to pick a location for the nest. In cities it comes to use terraced planters or air conditioning machines. The Common Kestrel lays 4 to 6 eggs. Great ability to adapt when selecting prey. It captures rodents, lizards, small birds and large insects.
Frequent and usual species in the province. It can be watched in almost all stages of the Great Path.
Something characteristic of the kestrels is that they are able to remain still in the air, moving their wings frantically, observing the ground looking for a prey. In cities they are able to capture caged birds. They take them out by introducing their thin legs through the bars of the cages.
- Altos de Hondonero
- Arroyo de la Ventilla
- Campillos – Sierra de Yeguas
- Costa del Sol Occidental
- El Torcal
- Genal and Guadiaro rivers junction
- Genil River banks
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 09. Periana - Riogordo
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 01. Málaga - Rincón de la Victoria
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 02. Rincón de la Victoria - Vélez-Málaga
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 03. Vélez-Málaga - Torrox
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 04. Torrox - Nerja
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 06. Frigiliana - Cómpeta
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 07. Cómpeta - Canillas de Aceituno
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 10. Riogordo - Alfarnate
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 13. Archidona - Villanueva de Tapia
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 14. Villanueva de Tapia - Villanueva de Algaidas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 16. Cuevas Bajas - Alameda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 18. Fuente de Piedra - Campillos
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 19. Campillos - Embalses del Guadalhorce
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 20. Embalses del Guadalhorce - Estación de El Chorro (Álora)
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 21. Estación de El Chorro (Álora) - Carratraca - Ardales
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 22. Ardales - El Burgo
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 23. El Burgo - Ronda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 24. Ronda - Estación de Benaoján
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 25. Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 26. Jimera de Líbar - Benalauría
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 27. Benalauría - Genalguacil
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 28. Genalguacil - Casares
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 29. Casares - Estepona
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 30. Estepona - Marbella
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 31. Marbella - Ojén
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 33. Mijas - Benalmádena
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 34. Benalmádena - Alhaurín de la Torre
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 35. Alhaurín de la Torre - Málaga
- Lagunas de Campillos
- Llanos de Líbar
- Los Llanos de Antequera – Cartaojal – La Sarteneja
- Montes de Malaga Natural Park
- Mouth of the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve
- Paraje Natural Sierra Crestellina
- Quejigales - Puerto de Los Pilones
- Refugio de Juanar
- Río Guadalmina
- Tajos del Fraile, Doña Ana y Gómer
- The Mouth of Rio Velez
- Valley of the Guadalhorce River
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