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American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
29.4299, -98.7004
Field Notes
Description:
This is a small falcon about the size of a Mourning Dove. It is the smallest falcon in North America. This is a male which is indicated by its' slate blue wings. They have buff colored underparts with some brown/black spots. Upperparts are a rusty red. They have a long square tipped tale with a dark band. Their face is white, brown, and slate blue in color with two black slashes on either side. Their wingspan is between 21-24 inches.
Habitat:
Habitat: Open areas with sparse trees, grasslands, deserts, fields, forests, wood edges, and urban and suburban areas.
Range: Found throughout North, Central, and South America.
Nests: American Kestrels nest in cavities, They will readily use an old woodpecker or magpie nest, tree crevices, natural tree hollows. or holes within giant cacti. They have 1-2 broods per year with a clutch size of 4-5 eggs.
Diet: Their diet includes but is not limited to the following: small rodents and birds, insects, snakes, lizards and frogs.
Ref: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-kestrel
Notes:
This was the first and only Kestrel I have ever seen! The photos are not great but I wanted to be sure to snap a few before he flew away.
FUN FACTS: 1. Kestrels hide food in various places in order to return and eat at a later time. 2. In some areas the number of Kestrels is on the decline. Consider placing a nesting box in your area to help assist in conservation efforts. 3. The vertical black slashes on their faces are often referred to as a mustache and sideburns.
Ref: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/id
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