Kestrels (falco tinnunculus) are one of the best known, and best loved, birds of prey in the UK and are instantly recognisable by their unique ability to hover in situ above prey, their pointed wings and fanned tail feathers. Kestrels are the most common bird of prey in Europe, although it appears that the numbers are in slight decline in the UK. Kestrels are also considerably smaller than other common birds of prey such as the red kite or sparrow hawk.