Common Kestrel (Chogenbo) - Common Kestrel

Japanese: チョウゲンボウ(長元坊) - チョウゲンボウ

A species of bird in the Falconidae family, or a general term for slightly smaller birds in the Falcon genus. The common kestrel Falco tinnunculus (illustration) is widely distributed in Africa and Eurasia, living mainly on plains and in low mountain areas. In Japan, it breeds on cliffs in the central and northern parts of Honshu, and lives on riverbanks and grasslands in winter. The total length is about 33 cm for males and about 38 cm for females. Females are brownish-brown with fine spots all over their bodies, while males have blue-gray heads and tails. In addition to hunting small birds in the air, they catch large insects such as grasshoppers on the ground and hover (fly stationary) to target mice.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

タカ目ハヤブサ科の鳥の1種，またはハヤブサ属のうち，やや小型のものの総称。チョウゲンボウFalco tinnunculus(英名common kestrel)（イラスト）はアフリカとユーラシア大陸に広く分布し，おもに平地から低山帯にすむ。日本では本州の中部以北の崖地で繁殖し，冬は河原や草原にすむ。全長は，雄約33cm，雌約38cm。雌は全身茶褐色で細かい斑があり，雄は頭と尾が青灰色である。空中で小鳥を狩るほか，地上でバッタ類など大型の昆虫をとり，またホバリング(停止飛行)しながらネズミを狙う。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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