Merlin vs Kestrel: How to Tell Them Apart

This is the smallest falcon in the region; its wings are pointed and short with wide bases. The sexes are different. Male birds have blue-grey upperparts, a rusty breast that is streaked with dark, reddish-brown cheeks and nape, dark wingtips and a dark band on the tail. When flying, the plumage of the back, inner wings and tail are in contrast. Female birds are larger than the male and browner; the breast is pale but streaked with brown, the underparts decorated with large dark spots. Juvenile birds are similar to females, though they're darker with white-flecked napes.

This bird has breeding grounds in the uplands in the north and west of Britain, and in parts of Ireland too. Prefers to breed on the ground in heather moorland and less often by the coast; also nests more and more frequently near the edges of older conifer forests. During winter many birds move to lower land, where they can hunt Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.

Has a high-pitched 'kee-kee-kee' that is usually uttered near its nest when it is surprised or thinks it is in danger.

This is a small bird of prey; it has long wings and tail, but its neck is short. The sexes differ. Male has a reddish-brown back which is spotted, a blue-grey head and tail and creamy-buff underparts with dark spots; there's a black band at the end of the tail. Female bird is larger; her plumage is more brown, she has a pattern of dark bars on her upperparts, and a pale breast with dark streaking. The tail is barred along its length. Juvenile birds are similar to females, but their streaking is more obvious, and the upperparts are more reddish-brown.

Can be found across the majority of Britain and Ireland, with the exception of north-west Scotland, and numbers are less in Ireland. This bird makes the most of urban habitats such as roadsides, but is most often found in meadows and commons, coastal grassland and moors.

Makes a persistent, high-pitched 'kee-kee-kee', usually in close proximity to the nest.