American Kestrel
Last Review/Updated: May 31, 2002
Falco sparverius
A small falcon (28 cm, or 11 in. long), the male of this species is very distinctive with reddish brown on the tail and back and blue on the head and wings. The female is less conspicuous, being generally reddish brown banded in black. The kestrel may be confused with the merlin in the field, but the bright browns and contrasting face colors of the kestrel help identify it.
The kestrel breeds throughout most of Alberta, as well as much of North and South America. It winters in its breeding range south of Canada. It is commonly observed on telephone lines where it rests between hunting forays into nearby ditches. Kestrels also hunt in open country such as fields, meadows and prairies. This falcon is a hole-nesting species, commonly using an abandoned woodpecker or flicker nest. Four to 6 cream white eggs marked with reddish brown are laid on the floor of the unlined nesting cavity.
The American kestrel eats grasshoppers, caterpillars, dragonflies, and other large insects in the summer and early fall. In winter, it relies on mice and small birds. When not perching on a telephone pole, or fence post, a kestrel may be seen hovering over one spot in search of prey.
