kestrel

American  

[kes-truhl] / ˈkɛs trəl /

noun

1. a common small falcon, Falco tinnunculus, of northern parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, notable for hovering in the air with its head to the wind.

2. any of several related small falcons, as the American kestrel, F. sparverius.

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kestrel British  

/ ˈkɛstrəl /

noun

1. any of several small falcons, esp the European Falco tinnunculus, that tend to hover against the wind and feed on small mammals on the ground

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Etymology

Origin of kestrel

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English castrell, ultimately from Middle French quercerelle, variant of crecerelle; further origin uncertain

Example Sentences

In midsentence, she’d suddenly break off to excitedly note a young kestrel flying near the crossing or a honeybee foraging among some early flowers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

A landmark Ken Loach drama "Kes", in 1969, featured a boy's bond with a kestrel.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

Are there any other tips that you learned about handling a bird of prey or kestrel?

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2024

Perched in its breeding grounds, however, the kestrel emits a series of raspy screams, each note a single-syllabled kik-kik-kik.

From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2023

No doubt this is why most grown rabbits will not remain under a hovering kestrel.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams