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General: I think the American
Kestrel, also known as Sparrow Hawk, is the most inconspicuous American bird
of prey. They often sit on phone/power lines and unless you look closely
they will appear like any other Jay sized bird. The only really
distinguishing aspect of the American Kestrel’s silhouette is its beak –
close to its face and hooked. If you stop and look, you will be surprised at
how many you see. The American Kestrel is the most abundant falcon in North
America.
Kestrels nest in cavities in trees, cliffs, buildings, and
other structures. The female usually lays 4 – 7 eggs white to cream in color
with brown or grey splotching. The chicks hatch in between 29-31 days and
are helpless. They fledge in 30-31 days
 The
American Kestrel basic vocalization is killy-killy-killy at times a rapid
series – klee, klee, klee, klee can be heard. The American Kestrel is a
common bird to be used in falconry - in areas it may be one of a limited
number available to the beginner.
Identification: At
about the size of a Jay, the American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in
North America. They are roughly 9” – 12” and have a wingspan of up to 21”.
They weigh approximately 3 – 6 oz. Males have blue-grey wings with black
spots and white undersides with black barring. The back is rusty, with
barring on the lower half. The belly and flanks are white with black
spotting. The tail is also rusty, with a white or rusty tip and a black
subterminal band. The back and wings of the female American Kestrel are
rusty with dark brown barring. The undersides of the females are creamy to
buff with heavy brown streaking. The tail is rusty with numerous narrow dark
black bars. The wings are moderately long, fairly narrow, and taper to a
point. When in flight their silhouette is classic falcon – just mini-sized.
Habitat: American Kestrels are found in a wide variety
of habitats, including grasslands, meadows, deserts,
and other open to semi-open regions. They can also be found in towns, cities
and suburban areas.
Territory: The American Kestrel
has an extensive range. It breeds from Alaska across northern Canada to Nova
Scotia, and south throughout the USA, into central Mexico and the Caribbean
down though South America to Tierra del Fuego.
Migration:
Most Kestrels breeding in Alaska and Northern Canada will migrate
down into British Columbia, New England and south in the winter.
Food: American Kestrels feed largely on small animals such
as grasshoppers, insects, lizards, mice, small snakes and small mammals and
small birds – House Sparrows are commonly taken. I have seen them attack
Chickadees and Juncos at me backyard feeder. Prey is almost always caught on
the ground rather than in the air like other falcons such as the Peregrine.
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