Female slightly larger than male. Both are brownish on the upperparts, the male being more rufous and has blue-grey head and tail. Hovers frequently and indeed, is probably most often seen hovering alongside motorway and road verges. No other hawk has so perfected the art of stationary flight. It hangs at a height of 20 or 30 ft poised in the air with quivering wings and widespread depressed tail searching the ground below. Even in the face of a stiff gusty wind it can remain stationary in mid-air. If no prey is sighted the bird glides forward or circles a few times before hovering once more over new ground.

Found in a wide variety of haunts including open or lightly wooded farmland, moors, wetlands and urban areas.

Our commonest falcon and a widespread resident over all Britain and Ireland.