The everyday falcon almost everywhere, it is typical of farmland and roadsides as well as wider areas and cliffs. Its persistent hovering is highly characteristic.

Although it is one of the smaller falcons, the Kestrel is capable of giving exciting aerial performances, especially given a strong wind. It is most familiar as a roadside hunter, perched on trees, wires, or telegraph poles, or most distinctively, hovering head-to-wing above a grassy road verge.