American Kestrel

Description:

This is a small falcon about the size of a Mourning Dove. It is the smallest falcon in North America. This is a male which is indicated by its' slate blue wings. They have buff colored underparts with some brown/black spots. Upperparts are a rusty red. They have a long square tipped tale with a dark band. Their face is white, brown, and slate blue in color with two black slashes on either side. Their wingspan is between 21-24 inches.

Habitat:

Habitat: Open areas with sparse trees, grasslands, deserts, fields, forests, wood edges, and urban and suburban areas. Range: Found throughout North, Central, and South America. Nests: American Kestrels nest in cavities, They will readily use an old woodpecker or magpie nest, tree crevices, natural tree hollows. or holes within giant cacti. They have 1-2 broods per year with a clutch size of 4-5 eggs. Diet: Their diet includes but is not limited to the following: small rodents and birds, insects, snakes, lizards and frogs. Ref: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird...

Notes:

This was the first and only Kestrel I have ever seen! The photos are not great but I wanted to be sure to snap a few before he flew away. FUN FACTS: 1. Kestrels hide food in various places in order to return and eat at a later time. 2. In some areas the number of Kestrels is on the decline. Consider placing a nesting box in your area to help assist in conservation efforts. 3. The vertical black slashes on their faces are often referred to as a mustache and sideburns. Ref: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Amer...