Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes.

When hunting, the common kestrel characteristically hovers about 10–20 m above the ground, searching for prey, either by flying into the wind or by soaring using ridge lift. Like most birds of prey, common kestrels have keen eyesight enabling them to spot small prey from a distance. Once prey is sighted, the bird makes a short, steep dive toward the target.

Kestrels eat almost exclusively mouse-sized mammals like voles, shrews and mice. It is a cavity nester, preferring holes in cliffs, trees or buildings. The clutch is normally 3–7 eggs; more eggs may be laid in total but some will be removed during the laying time.