# 1. Interesting Facts Another name for the kestrel is the sparrow hawk, although birds are not a main prey item. Kestrels nest in cavities in trees; in places where there are few large dead snags to provide nest sites, they may rely on nesting This species is a year-round resident in Michigan. The Kestrel is a small, chestnut brown bird of prey. Raptor Fun Facts: Ultraviolet Sensors . The American Kestrel is a small, colorful falcon that hunts rodents, insects, and songbirds. Carie Battistone. It can take a Peregrine Falcon chick 36 hours to peck out of its shell. Falcon Fun Facts for Kids. The kestrel can reach heights of 1000 feet above ground during flight. Favorite Foods - Kestrels in general will feed on a variety of different prey, but individual kestrels can have "favorite" foods. Formerly known as the Sparrow Hawk, the American Kestrel is the smallest, most colorful, and most widespread North American falcon. This species of kestrel has a brownish back (dorsal) area with black flecking, a white belly (with males having less dark speckles on it), and black marks extending from the eyes downward. Here me, and my fellow writers would like to share the special memories and incredible sightings of the most magnificent birds we have seen on our travels with you. INTERESTING FACTS The American Kestrel is the most common falcon in North America. For many people, it is unimaginable to spend a day . When prey is spotted, Kestrels pounce, seizing it with one or both feet. This is the third year the boxes have been up, and the second year one of . Connecticut, American kestrels will usually have 1 brood per season and will renest if the first nest fails. They are 12 in long, with their wingspan being 13-17 in. American Kestrel. Kestrels are year round residents throughout the United States. Common Kestrel Facts Common Kestrels are small falcons that are commonly found across North America. The average lifespan of the American kestrel is about 5 years in the wild. 3 species of falcons in Illinois. There are many benefits to having both a male and female kestrel: 1) They can potentially be housed together, leaving a space open for a future bird; 2) Being a species that our staff and volunteers have worked with for years means everyone already knows the natural history and interesting facts about the new bird. Roughly the size of a mourning dove, the American kestrel sports a wingspan of 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 . The male (or tercel) Kestrel has black-spotted chestnut brown upperparts and a blue-grey head and tail. The American Kestrel Partnership, a project of The Peregrine Fund, is one such group of scientists. Kestrels have a head-to-tail length of 11.8 - 14.1 in (30 - 36 cm) and a wingspan of 22 in (56 cm). Interesting Facts About The American Kestrel. Their tail has a single black bar at the tip. American Kestrels are cavity nesters, and will use nest boxes provided by humans. Females have gray on the head only, and are generally speckled brown with dark bars. Their legs are yellow. Banding an American Kestrel chick as part of a nest box monitoring study. Interesting Facts about the KESTREL. The world's rarest species of kestrel lives on Mauritius, where it has come perilously close to extinction. It is the smallest and most delicate-looking American falcon, with long wings and tail. One study found out that the American Kestrel can see insects of sizes as low as 2mm from a range of approximately 18m off the ground. Kestrels have a habit of pumping their tail feathers up and down when perched, especially after landing. The pesticide DDT reduced American Peregrine Falcon numbers to a few hundred. Eurasian Kestrel: Small falcon, spotted rufous upperparts, brown-streaked buff underparts. The American Kestrel. This bird of prey lives in open habitats and is about the size of a blue jay to a mourning dove.The best-known raptor in North America is easily identifiable with its striking plumage and unique hunting style.. Kestrel Amazing Facts 5 Facts About American Kestrels 1. The American kestrel is the smallest raptor in America. American kestrels are the smallest and most widespread falcon in North America. Sponsored by . Its head is blue, brown, and white. The feces dry on the cavity walls and stay off the nestlings. The kestrel was once used to drive and keep away pigeons. When prey is spotted, Kestrels pounce, seizing it with one or both feet. Because of this, some raptors . and More! American Kestrels can also see ultra-violet light; this helps them spot the urine trails of small rodents while . If you recall from prior blog posts . Food: A Kestrel will zoom down at high speed It breeds from Alaska and Canada to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. There were just eight birds left in the wild 30 years ago, but the number is now close to 1,000. The birds dine on - among other things - fruit-eating birds. Fun Facts: Nestling Kestrels back up, . These birds are very agile in the air and have a habit of hunting by diving into the ground from high altitudes. $8.00 1 Used from $11.95 2 New from $8.00. The American Kestrel is the most common falcon in North America. But what they lack in size, they make up for in attitude. North America's littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator's fierce intensity into its small body. Gray head, black moustache stripe. An adult kestrel weighs approximately 3 to 6 ounces. Males have bluish-gray on the head and wings and a rust-colored breast and back. # 3. The body is about 10 inches long (females are larger) and its wingspan is less than two feet. American Kestrel Falco Sparverius Habitat: The American Kestrel is found throughout the Western Hemisphere from Alaska and Canada to South America. It shows the differences in size typical among birds of prey, with the females being slightly larger than the males. Interesting Facts About the American Kestrel Though small, kestrels are incredibly agile and precise predators. Females have rusty brown wings, while the wings of males are slate blue. "We are excited to announce that we are providing Wisconsin kestrel feather and claw samples as part of a four-year, continent-wide study on American Kestrels to learn about the effects of climate change on the phenology (timing of life-cycle events) of American Kestrels. American Kestrel About Me My name is Carl and I started this blog to share my passion about birds and wildlife photography. Feeds on large insects, small rodents and birds. After fledging, the young stay with the adult birds for several weeks. Characteristics: This bird is one of the smallest of all birds of prey. Fun Facts! The Gyrfalcon is the largest true Falcon in the world. In this article we'll take a look at these raptors and learn a few things about them such as where and when you can spot them, what they look like, and a few fun facts about each. The American Kestrel is the continent's most common and widespread falcon, but populations declined by an estimated 1.39% per year between 1966 and 2017, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. 3. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch . Their hooked bill is a bluish color with yellow cere. Two American Kestrel nest boxes were first installed at Oxbow Park the spring of 2018. Fun Facts: American Kestrels don't build their own nests. As the female is bigger than the male, the female weighs 3.0-5.8 oz and the males 2.8-5.0 oz.. Fun Facts: Learn some interesting facts about the smallest falcon…the American Kestrel! The American Kestrel (Sparrow Hawk) can reach 60 mph while diving and 40 mph in level flight. Listed as a threatened species in New Jersey since 2012, the American . Males and females are sexualy diamorphic, meaning they look different apart from their sexual organs. After fledging, the young stay with the adult birds for several weeks. Alternates rapid wing beats with a glide. The oldest banded wild bird was 11 years and 7 months, while captive kestrels can live up to 14-17 years. Status in Tennessee: The American Kestrel is a relatively common statewide resident. Kestrel. The American kestrel is one of the only birds that can hover for a long period of time by rapidly beating its wings and fanning out its tail feathers to provide lift. Conservation. Like A Local We'll deliver you the best El Paso has to offer straight to your inbox! This raptor is found in open or semi-open habitats, preferring areas which have trees with natural cavities for nesting. by Wildlife Informer. Paperback. Instead they use old nests made by other birds, ledges or cavities (holes) in trees. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male's slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. When on the hunt, American Kestrels perch on wires or poles, scanning for insects and other small prey below. In 2017, a group of Telluride Mountain School students began working on a national research project with the American Kestrel Partnership. Very feisty for their size. American Kestrel Falco sparverius. Photo by Nikki Wayment. Next comes the most interesting part of the capturing of the bird, as quoted by Janet and Amber in their newsletter. This small but mighty predator may not be impressive … Read more. Another name for this species is the Common Kestrel, European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male's slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. 1) One of the favorite foods of kestrels is insects such as cicadas, beetles, dragonflies, and especially grasshoppers, which can be a benefit to farmers. The length of an American kestrel is around 8.5 inches and a wingspan of 21 inches. It is one of the few raptors with different color plumages in males and females. The American kestrel is usually found in close proximity to open fields, either perched on a snag or telephone wire or hovering in search of prey. Our smallest falcon, the kestrel is also the most familiar and widespread in North America. 3. Despite how much researchers have studied kestrels, we still know little about their migration or their wintering ecology. Males will brood eggs as well as females. American Kestrel Population size 9.2 mln Life Span 11-17 yrs TOP SPEED 104 km/h WEIGHT 80-165 g LENGTH 22-31 cm WINGSPAN 51-61 cm The American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. Although they will more typically hunt by sitting on a high perch to watch for prey, they will also hover in the air when no suitable perch is available. The U.S. Air Force studied falcons such as the kestrel to help them design fighter jets that maneuver quickly in the air. Kestrel Bird Fun Facts What do Kestrels look like? Instead they use old nests made by other birds, ledges or cavities (holes) in trees. The name kestrel is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. The 4 species of falcons in California are the American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, and the Prairie Falcon. Fun Facts. Our smallest falcon, the kestrel is also the most familiar and widespread in North America. 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