Kestrel
pronunciation
How to pronounce Kestrel in British English:
UK [ 'kestrəl]
How to pronounce Kestrel in American English:
US [ 'kestrəl]
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- Noun:
- small North American falcon
- small Old World falcon that hovers in the air against a wind
Word Origin
- kestrel (n.)
- kind of falcon, c. 1600, earlier castrell (15c.), probably from Middle French cresserelle, which apparently is related to crecerelle "rattle," from Latin crepitacillium "small rattle," diminutive of crepitaculum "noisy bell, rattle," from crepitare "to crackle, rattle;" possibly from the old belief that their noise frightened away other hawks.
Example
- 1. The common kestrel roosts and hunts alone , but the lesser kestrel roosts and hunts in flocks .
- 2. Any of various small falcons belonging to the genus falco that are distributed worldwide , especially the american kestrel and the european kestrel .
- 3. Colonial nester on cliffs ; hovers less than common kestrel ; wingbeat very fast ; mostly eats insects ; migrates in large flocks .
- 4. It hounds an alarmed kestrel out of the park , then barrels through a flock of seagulls . Satisfied , the kite returns to its perch and shows off the black epaulettes on its grey back .