Chuck releasing an eagle.

The American kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. Formerly called Sparrowhawk, this scrappy little bird of prey is also the most commonly seen of the North American falcons. His range extends throughout North and South America, from Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego. Although absent from heavily forested areas such as Amazonia, he does frequent the West Indies, Juan Fernandez Islands and Chile.

The habitat includes desert, inner cities, farmland and forest edges. They are often spotted on telephone poles, trees and other elevated vantage points in their search for food. By the characteristic tail-wagging and loud killy-killy-killy vocalization, one knows that the kestrel has spotted his prey. The diet includes insects, reptiles and small mammals. In winter, they will also eat small birds. They are often seen in open fields hovering over their prey before diving in for the kill.

American kestrels have a 9 - 12 inch wingspan, with females and males being similar in size. The male, however, is characterized by blue-gray wings and head, while the female has the rufous colored back and wings, with heavier streaking below than the male.

American kestrels are cavity nesters, and will use holes in trees, artificial nest boxes, rock crevices, or small spaces in buildings in which to lay their eggs. Three to seven eggs are laid in the spring. The incubation period is about 30 days, with the female doing most of the incubating. However, it is not uncommon for the male kestrel to assist in the incubation, an uncommon act among other male birds of prey.

Young kestrels fledge in about 30 days, however, the youngsters stay with the parents for several months after fledging, forming a vocal, active family unit.

Although very common to our area, kestrels are nonetheless federally protected birds of prey. Common injuries to kestrels in our area include gunshot wounds (usually bb and pellet guns), and attacks by cats and dogs while ground foraging for lizards and insects.

The American kestrel is a charming, feisty little bird of prey, and an enormous benefit to us and our environment by controlling large populations of insects, lizards, small rodents and small birds found within his home range.

Related Links:

• The Hawk Conservancy - Kestrel
• Kestrel in Linz, Austria

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