The Common Kestrel of Belarus 2010.

The Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus have been issued the stamp “Kestrel” as part of from the series “A bird of the year” on March 19, 2010 .The stamp is issued with the assistance of the public organization “Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny” (Protection of Homeland Birds) and  declared the kestrel a bird of the year 2010.

Falco tinnunculus (The Common Kestrel ), well known as European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel or Old World Kestrel is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae that occurs widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.

Falco tinnunculus readily adapts to human settlement, as long as sufficient swathes of vegetation are available, and may even be found in wetlands, moorlands and arid savannah. It is found from the sea to the lower mountain ranges, reaching up to 4,500 m -1,750 meters .

Falco tinnunculus eat almost exclusively mouse-sized mammals: typically voles, but also shrews and true mice.The Common Kestrel starts breeding in spring (or the start of the dry season in the tropics), i.e. April/May in temperate Eurasia and some time between August and December in the tropics and southern Africa.

Globally, Falco tinnunculus is not considered threatened by the IUCN.The global population is fluctuating considerably over the years but remains generally stable; it is roughly estimated at 1-2 million pairs , about 20% of which are found in Europe. Their population were affected by the indiscriminate use of organochlorines and other pesticides in the mid-20th century.

There are logos of the International organization of birds protection "Birdlife International" and Belarus publicorganization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (APB)on the stamps.

A maximum card “Kestrel” have been issued issued too.