<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="65001"%> American Kestrel
Willowbrook Wildlife Center Raptor Volunteer Interpreteres

American Kestrel
Falco sparverius

 

 

Education birds representing this species: Monty and Skylar - (Alumni: Killy and Spring)

Interesting Facts:

  • Smallest diurnal raptor in North America
  • Once known as the Sparrow Hawk
  • Closely related to the Peregrine Falcon

Physical Dimensions:

  • wing span ~2 feet
  • weight ~6 ounces (females slightly larger)

Prey (versatile, opportunitistic, benefits farms - reduces pests)

  • prefers large insects, crickets - preys on others after frost hits
  • lizards
  • mice voles
  • snakes
  • amphibians
  • small birds in flight (less than 2 ounces) including sparrows (hence formerly known as sparrow hawk)
  • almost never feed on carrion

Hunting Techniques:

  • From elevated perches or hover-hunting (for small mammals)
  • Prefers to hunt in short grass
  • Maintains exclusive hunting territories in winter (so larger females occupy best sites)

Range:

  • Most of North America
  • Avoids spending winter in snow-vovered areas because it's difficult to find prey
  • Migrates only when necessary

American Kestrel Distribution Map

Color:

  • Demonstrates sexual dimorphism (when males and females differ in coloring). Sexual dimorphism is unusual in raptors.
    • Males: rusty backs, blue wings/cap, bright red tail with dark band near the tip, white/red chest with black spots.
    • Females: reddish brown backs with dark broken barring, heavily streaked creamy chest, 10% larger than males.

Reproduction:

  • Monogamous, but usually do not pair for life. Court and pair again each spring.
  • Males attract mates with aerial flight display and offering prey - males provide food to females during reproduction.
  • Nest in tree cavities and protected ledges ~15-30 feet above ground with an opening 2-4" in diameter
    (tree holes, former flicker/woodpecker holes, partically enclosed ledges, nest boxes)
  • Does not build a nest - lays eggs directly on surface in its cavity.
  • "Builds" a nest mid April-June in open areas just at the edge of woods
    3-5 eggs at 1-2 day intervals
    29-30 days of incubation
    Fledged at 4 weeks
    independent from parents at ~8 weeks old

Conservation:

  • No conservation issues.

Links of Interest: