kestrel
Americannoun
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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.
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any of several related small falcons, as the American kestrel, F. sparverius.
noun
Etymology
Origin of kestrel
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English castrell, ultimately from Middle French quercerelle, variant of crecerelle; further origin uncertain
Explanation
A kestrel is a small falcon that hovers high in the air before swooping down on its prey. Kestrels typically hunt for insects, rodents, and lizards. In North America, a kestrel is distinguished from other falcons by its small size — it's about the same size as a blue jay or mourning dove. These colorful birds have rusty-brown, black, white, and blue plumage, and they're commonly seen hovering above an open field, wings beating, before diving to snatch a grasshopper or mouse. Experts aren't certain of the origin of kestrel, although some suspect a Latin source, crepitacillium, "small rattle," after their distinctive call.
Vocabulary lists containing kestrel
Amazing Animals, A-Z
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Amazing Animals, List 3
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Birds, Birds, Birds, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Then there was the 2013 case of a kestrel discovered by Turkish villagers with a ring around its leg bearing the words, “24311 Tel Avivunia Israel.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
A landmark Ken Loach drama "Kes", in 1969, featured a boy's bond with a kestrel.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2025
Bootstrap Bill, a kestrel with a partially amputated wing, perched on a branch nearby.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2024
Are there any other tips that you learned about handling a bird of prey or kestrel?
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2024
“I remember the kestrel, the one that ate your canary,” said Harry Bloom after he’d handed Albert the dessert he’d brought from his bakery.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
