American Kestrels

The American kestrel (falco sparverius) is a small falcon with a range that stretches across all of North and South America. 

Its small size and superior camouflage can make it hard to see and easy to mistake for other birds, but it is the most common raptor in the Americas. 

It is about the size of an American robin, with wingspans ranging from 20 to 24 inches. Females are about 10% larger than males.

It prefers open and semi-open habitat, such as marshes, farmland and residential areas, and can live up to eleven years in the wild.  

It nests in cavities in tall trees, laying 3 to 5 eggs in each clutch, and the young grow very rapidly, reaching adult size in two and a half weeks after hatching.

Its diet consists primarily of smaller birds, rodents and insects, and it hunts by either hovering above the ground or perching on telephone poles, wires and trees to spot prey.

It can see ultraviolet light, and can plunge at speeds of up to 60 mph and fly up to 40 mph.

Further Links to American Kestrel Information

Cornell University Ornithology Department - Kestrel website

American Kestrels - Wikipedia Entry