Kestrel

International name: Common kestrel or Eurasian kestrel

Scientific name: Falco tinnunculus

Irish name: Pocaire gaoithe

Size: 33-37cm

Diet: Carnivore

Tips on how to find them: Can be found anywhere in Ireland, in any kind of habitat; can often be seen hovering over the verges of a road; the male (pictured) has a grey head and tail, whereas the female is brown on both parts, as with the rest of her body; gives a repetitive ‘kee-kee-kee‘ call.

The male kestrel in the photo above was seen within the sun bear enclosure in Belfast Zoo when I visited in 2018. I have seen kestrels in the wild in other places before and since, such as the Kilcoole Nature Reserve.