American Kestrel
A small, robin-sized bird with noticeably pointed wings, a proportionally large head, and a small hooked beak. Feathers under the eye form a unique teardrop. Adult males have bluish-gray wings while females have rusty (rufous) wings. Length to 12”, wingspan to 21”.
Behavior: Likes to perch on wires along country roads and highways. Hovers by flapping into wind. In straight flight, noticeably surprising speed followed by hard, quick landings.
Habitat: Hunts in open areas including meadows, grasslands, lawns, and highway medians.
Range: Nearly all of North, Central and South America.
Abundance: Common.
Nesting: In old woodpecker holes, natural tree cavities, or nest boxes. 4 to 5 eggs are laid in spring.
Food: Mice and voles make up most of this
bird’s diet, with insects, especially grasshoppers, being added
in summer.
