American Kestrel
Falco sparverius · Falcons and Caracaras
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America, known for its vibrant plumage and fierce predatory nature. These colorful raptors are often seen perched on wires or hovering over open fields. They are widespread across the Americas, from northern Canada to the southern tip of South America.
Explore the full field guideResident or migratorySmall falconKilly-killy-killy callInsects, small mammals
3 calls·first heard Aug 12·last 13d ago
When it's heardpeak 7a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- A relatively small, long-tailed falcon with narrow, pointed, sickle-shaped wings.
- White cheeks with two prominent black vertical stripes, sometimes called a "mustache" and a "sideburn."
- Males have slate-blue wings, a rusty-red back, and a rusty-red tail with a broad black band near the tip.
- Females have rusty-brown wings, back, and tail, all marked with dark barring. Their underparts are streaked.