This colorful little falcon is about 9
to 12 inches in length with a wingspan of 21 i
nches and is the smallest falcon in North America.
It is found in a variety of habitats including cities, parks,
open country, towns, farmlands, forest edges, alpine zones and
deserts. It is found throughout the New World.
The American Kestrel lays its 4 to 5 white
eggs with brown blotches in a cavity that is either natural or
man-made. They will use holes in trees and nest boxes. Both parents
tend the eggs. The incubation period is about 30 days. The young
fledge about 30 days after hatching.
It has been reported that these birds will
try nesting again if the first nest fails and in some southern
states two broods per year are raised.
Kestrels feed on insects, small rodents
and birds.
The American Kestrel is not an endangered
species and is very common.
The little American Kestrel on the right
is made by Wild Republic and is part of their Audubon
Bird Series.
Class: Aves | Order: Falconiformes
| Family: Falconidae | Species: Falco sparverius
Return
to The Aviary Index
