American Kestrel

Description:

This bird is the smallest falcon in size in the Americas. Per the photos, it is very colorful…slate-blue head on the top, characteristic (for a falcon) black lines below the eyes and further back on the head, and tan/brown chest with white spotted underwings.

Habitat:

This falcon was spotted at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on the northeast side of Denver, Colorado. Several were perched in cottonwood trees, presumably watching for prey in the surrounding grasslands. Prey in this area includes insects such as grasshoppers, as well as small rodents including mice and rats.

Notes:

American Kestrels have the ability to see in ultraviolet light. This is advantageous because small rodents leave urine trails which are visible in the ultraviolet spectrum. This literally allows the falcon to follow rodent urine trails to their location and burrows, thus making it easy to snag a meal. Unfortunately for them, Kestrels due to their diminutive size, are prey for larger raptors including hawks and eagles. It is a tough world out there.