Size isn't Everything!
It may be the smallest falcon in North America, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in color and beauty! This falcon has a huge range, spanning all the way down to the coast of Chile near Antartica to the treeline in Alaska.
What Does it Look Like?
The American Kestrel has some unique plumage. What looks like an Egyptian hieroglyphics can be found right in the United States! Complimenting brown colors on the belly and wings are contrasted with intense blues and black barring with spots on the chest. The females have streaking on the chest.Typically, females are larger than males. They can vary in size from 9-12 inches and weighing from 2.8 ounces to 5.8 ounces. They have a 20-24 inch wingspan which makes the bird look much larger in flight.
Kestrel Perch
The American Kestrel on Flickr
This little American Kestrel was at the Maryland State Fair. He is injured and ...
The American Kestrel is not a kestrel. For this and other interesting facts abo...
Several hunting techniques are used by the American Kestrel. It will hover over ...
American kestrel - Falco sparverius
American Kestrel, Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield, Washington state, shot...
Behaviorally, kestrels generally tame down relatively quickly (1-3 weeks) and to...
This bird was formerly known in North America as the Sparrow Hawk. This name was...
The weather at Ridgefiel NWR was a little chaotic. Lots of wind, some rain and c...
American Kestrel eating on the wing by Dan Kaiser Bartholomew County Dec 16th, 2...
American Kestrel Falco sparveriusIbera Marshes1st. April 2006Distribution: ...
Bartholomew County December 16 2004, American Kestrel by Dan Kasier
American Kestrel.
Perhaps the most colourful raptor in the world, the American Kestrel is the most...
150 E (just west of the Burn), Montgomery County, December 18, 2006
Photographed @ Bolsa Chica ER, HB, CaThe favorite meals for this male kestrel h...
We watched this kestrel locate, kill, and devour a small rodent near the entranc...
Rancho San Rafael, Reno, Washoe Co, Nevada (December 29th, 2005). #9 (kestrels ...
Went out to the refuge for the first time in a month, it's pretty quiet there, d...
American Kestrels Love Bugs!
These small hawks eat lots of bugs, making them an efficient "bug zapper" for the insect population!
Messy and Lazy!
American Kestrels have odd behavior when making their nests...they take old abandoned nests in tree cavities! They're either good recyclers or they're lazy...who knows! When nesting, these falcons often spray the inside of the cavity with excrement instead of leaving the nest or spraying outside.What a mess!
American Kestrel Videos
Trapping hawks in the Blue Hills
Red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons, American kestrels and other birds of prey should keep an eye peeled for Norman Smith. That's because Smith, director of the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton, is out to get them. From atop Chickatawbut Hill, Smith captures raptors, tags them and releases them. As they soar over the Blue Hills on their way south to warmer climates, Smith is still as a mouse as he waits for a chance to snare one of the flying hunters in his net. ``He's the most active raptor bander in the state,'' said Thomas French, assistant director of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
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The American Kestrel: Falcon Of Many Names
The American Kestrel: Falcon Of Many Names
Amazon Price: $11.70 (as of 12/02/2008)
List Price: $15.00
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Breeding
American Kestrels usually lay plenty of eggs, between 3 and 7. After approximately a month of incubation, the chicks will hatch. It will take these baby falcons a whole month to learn to fly.Where can you see these cool birds?
American Kestrels can be found in open fields across North and South America. They prefer to eat crickets, grasshoppers, mice and other field critters Often times they can be found in cranberry bogs, open grasslands and farmlands. Bring your binoculars! Watch to see them hovering, or if they are sitting, watch for a bobbing tail movement. American Kestrels seem to be high-strung, so they are almost always in the air.
Wait!
The American Kestrel is actually in decline! While some sites claim that they are stable, there has definitely been a decrease in numbers of the population. Take a moment to answer our quick poll question to report any kestrel sightings, even if you have not seen one recently (or ever).
American Kestrel Poll
American Kestrel Poll #2
American Kestrel Poll #3
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Have a lens on birds? Be sure to add it to this group!-
Wild Birds Lenses on Squidoo Headquarters
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Wild Birds Lenses on Squidoo Welcome! This group includes all wild bird lenses, from cardinals to hawks, owls to finches, geese to doves, sparrows to ostriches. Take a look around and see the cool wild bird lenses Squidoo has to offer! Need s...
Spot Some Kestrels in your Neighborhood!
Recommended Bird Gear
The Nikon Action 8x40 Binocular comes equipped with:
- Aspherical eyepiece lenses with multi-coated prisms
- Quick central focus system
- 420-foot field of view at 1,000 yards
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective lens: 40mm
Nikon 7216 Action 8 X 40mm Binoculars
Amazon Price: $64.89 (as of 12/02/2008)
This pair of Nikon binoculars has an amazing solid 5-star out of 5 rating on Amazon out of 51 reviews as of publication. Some customer comments:
"Absolutely the best binoculars at this price range."
"I really was overjoyed with these binoculars. Crisp, very bright viewing. Clarity very good, and the comfort and ease of use is great."
"The Nikon Action 8x40 binoculars are terrifically sharp and bright and are a tremendous value compared to the 'bargain' binoculars offered by other manufacturers in this price range. This binocular is a sturdy, durable-feeling handful that comes with an excellent strap and solid covers for both pairs of lenses. Very sharp, accurate color rendition, easy and rapid focus."
All in all, customers are very satisfied with this product for its ease of use, flexibility, durability and affordable price. Start birding!
American Kestrel
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Have you had an experience with the American Kestrel or just want to drop in? Leave your thoughts here!
naturegirl7 wrote...
Kestrels will nest in boxes if they are built with the right specs for them. Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
Posted October 30, 2008
fledgling wrote...
Great lens, very informative. I live in Downeast Maine, and was leaving my garage, and heard the recognizable sound of a bird in distress. As I rounded the corner, I was startled by a kestrel who appeared to have a starling on the ground. The Kestrel looked at me, and both birds flew quickly away. I did not know it was a Kestrel at the time, but the face markings were easily identifiable.I hope the starling was not mortally wounded.
Posted June 13, 2008
beesknees-23 wrote...
The Feline Citizens really like your taste in birds... Great lens!!
Posted April 07, 2008
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