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# kestrel

noun (a kestrel, kestrels)

«kestrel» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A kestrel is a small bird of prey, a kind of falcon, with brown feathers and a long tail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#m1)
2. It is famous for hovering in one place in the air, beating its wings, while looking down for mice and insects. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#m2)

### In the lessons

In nature lessons in the UK, Ireland and Australia (where the Nankeen kestrel lives), kestrels are often seen hovering beside motorways and fields; they are predators in food chains with voles and mice. Pupils learn words like «bird of prey», «talons» and «hover». Phrases: «a hovering kestrel», «bird of prey».

### Examples

- A kestrel hovered above the field. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#x1)
- The kestrel swooped down and caught a mouse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#x2)
- Kestrels are small falcons. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#x3)
- We saw a kestrel beside the motorway. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#x4)
- In the food chain, the vole is eaten by the kestrel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#x5)
- A kestrel has sharp talons and a hooked beak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/#x6)

### Note

Countable. Pronounced KES-trel. Kestrels hover; most other falcons do not, which helps you tell them apart.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «kestrel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/kestrel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«kestrel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/kestrel.html) on Mova free.