KESTREL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does kestrel mean? 

• KESTREL (noun)
  The noun KESTREL has 2 senses:

1. small North American falcon

2. small Old World falcon that hovers in the air against a wind

  Familiarity information: KESTREL used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• KESTREL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Small North American falcon

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

American kestrel; Falco sparverius; kestrel; sparrow hawk

Hypernyms ("kestrel" is a kind of...):

falcon (diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight)

Holonyms ("kestrel" is a member of...):

Falco; genus Falco (a genus of Falconidae)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Small Old World falcon that hovers in the air against a wind

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

Falco tinnunculus; kestrel

Hypernyms ("kestrel" is a kind of...):

falcon (diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight)

Holonyms ("kestrel" is a member of...):

Falco; genus Falco (a genus of Falconidae)

 Context examples 

These efforts can help with the reproductive success of declining bird species such as American kestrels, while producing fruit crops attractive to consumers.

(American kestrels, most common predatory birds in U.S., can reduce need for pesticide use, National Science Foundation)

In cherry orchards, the scientists found, kestrels significantly reduced the number of birds that eat fruit.

(American kestrels, most common predatory birds in U.S., can reduce need for pesticide use, National Science Foundation)

Kestrels consume crop pests such as grasshoppers, rodents and European starlings.

(American kestrels, most common predatory birds in U.S., can reduce need for pesticide use, National Science Foundation)

Our research demonstrates that predators like American kestrels consume numerous crop pests and reduce crop damage, which are important ecosystem services.

(American kestrels, most common predatory birds in U.S., can reduce need for pesticide use, National Science Foundation)

In some areas, American kestrels — small falcons — are replacing chemicals by keeping pests and invasive species away from crops.

(American kestrels, most common predatory birds in U.S., can reduce need for pesticide use, National Science Foundation)