American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Taxonomy:
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Subfamily: Falconinae
Genus: Falco

Length: 8-10 in. (male); 9-11 in. (female)
Weight: 3.4-4.5 oz. (male); 3.6-5.3 oz. (female)
Wingspan: 20-22 in. (male); 21-24 in. (female)

Common Names: sparrow hawk

Etymology: falco (Latin) - refers to sickle-shaped talons or the shape of the wings in flight; sparverius (Latin) - "striped" - refers to underparts of immature wing

Description: The widespread American kestrel is the smallest North American falcon and one of our most common and colorful raptors. It is one of the few raptors with different color plumages in males and females. The back of the female's wings and tail are rusty brown with fine dark barring. The male's wings are blue gray and the tail is red with a wide dark subterminal band and a white tip. Both sexes have two dark mustache marks (malar stripe) and markings on the back of the head, which gives the appearance of two dark eyes (called ocelli) and a beak. Immatures have a lot of barring on their back and more streaking and buffy on chest.

Flight: Their active flight is light and buoyant, and they are the only North American falcons to hunt by hovering. Will chase birds in direct rapid flight, but usually hunt insects and small mammals from prominent perch.

Voice: A rapid, high klee klee klee or killy killy killy.

Habitat: Kestrels prefer open country, mountains, moorlands or grasslands.

Distribution: Common throughout North America. Northern populations are migratory, some move as far south as Central America. In the Carolinas, populations are highest in winter.

Nesting: A cavity nester (nest boxes should face east and in an open area), usually in old woodpecker holes. Will nest in manmade boxes. 6-7 weeks of copulation behavior. Lays 4-6 eggs; females do most of the incubating (male-4 hours per day), which lasts about 29-30 days. Both male and female have brood patches. Age at first flight is usually between 28-31 days.

Food: Rodents, insects (especially grasshoppers in summer), birds, lizards and snakes. Have tominal tooth in beak (extra notch).

Baby American Kestrel Picture:

5th week