Common kestrel

This small falcon with an 80-centimetre wingspan is very common. It has adapted to many natural habitats such as fields and cliffs, in pursuit of small rodents. It has a slender silhouette, with pointed wings. It is predominantly fawn in colour. The upper side of its wings is cream with black speckles. The male's head and the top of its tail are blue-grey. It flies rapidly, beating its wings almost continuously and constantly changing its direction, gliding for short distances and plummeting suddenly. Its characteristic attribute is its ability to hang motionlessly in flight, its tail fanned out and its wings beating very rapidly, on the lookout for prey. This is called the «Flight of the Holy Spirit».