Found in Europe and northern Asia between latitudes of 30 and 50 º N at up to 500 m above sea level. This species is migratory, moving to sub-Saharan Africa during the winter, and congregating most abundantly in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya (1).
![]() | View a distribution map for this species at UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
An inhabitant of highland farming regions and grassy plains in the winter range, the lesser kestrel prefers open or wooded grassland and cultivated areas during the summer breeding season. It nests in areas with mountain slopes, gorges and deep ravines surrounded by open areas for hunting (2).