ExploreBird

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

The American Kestrel is a small and colorful bird of prey. They love to perch high up and watch for little insects and mice to eat.

Habitat: Open fields, grasslands, and deserts

Appearance

The American Kestrel is North America's smallest and most colorful falcon. Males have slate-blue wings and a rufous back, while females are more reddish-brown. Both sport distinctive black 'mustache' markings on their white faces.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderFalconiformesFamilyFalconidaeGenusFalco

American Kestrel

Interesting facts

Kestrels often nest in old woodpecker holes or special human-made nest boxes!

Kestrels sometimes store extra food in secret spots for a later snack!

Males and females look so different, they almost seem like different birds!

This small hunter often ambushes prey from a high perch like a power line!

Special abilities

American Kestrel can hover perfectly still in the air because of powerful, rapid wingbeats that helps them spot tiny prey below.

American Kestrel has ultraviolet vision that helps them see rodent urine trails, guiding them to hidden food.

American Kestrel has incredible agility that helps them snatch insects mid-flight with speed.

Measurements & details

Length: 22-31 cm
Wingspan: 51-61 cm
Weight: 0.08-0.165 kg
Lifespan: 1-5 years
Top Speed: 64 km/h
Clutch Size: 3-7
Incubation: 28-32 days
Migration Distance: 4000 km

Diet & Feeding

Tiny but mighty, this falcon munches on insects, small birds, and rodents.

Age differences: Young kestrels eat more insects, while adults add more small mammals and birds.

Primary Foods

Grasshoppers
Mice
Voles
Beetles
Small birds
Lizards

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Main prey for kestrel diet.

eats

American Grasshopper

Schistocerca americana

Common insect meal for young and adults.

shelters

Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

Provides old tree cavities for nesting sites.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Potential predator of eggs, nestlings, or even adults.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.