Falco sparverius

American kestrels nest in cavities. Declines in the availability of natural cavities have caused declines in populations, but properly installed nest boxes can offset these losses and contribute to population increases, provided suitable foraging habitat exists.
Photo Credit: Blake Matheson
Falco sparverius
Common Name: American kestrel
Other Common Names: sparrow hawk
Animal Guild: Bird
Class > Order > Family: Aves > Falconiformes > Falconidae
What does the species look like? The American kestrel is the smallest, most numerous and widespread of North American birds of prey. The kestrel is largely rufous to reddish with a stripe down from the eye and another past the ear. Males have distinctive bluish wings. It is quite different from any other bird usually seen in its habitat. It hunts from a perch or in flight, often hovering.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AK, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NL, NM, NS, NT, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, PE, QC, RI, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, YT
Distribution

The American kestrel breeds south of the tundra from Alaska and Canada south through the lower 48 states, Mexico, Central America, and much of South America. It winters in most of this range except for the northern Great Plains, Canada and Alaska.

American kestrels use a wide range of open habitats, including open woodland and forest edge, suburban parks, agricultural land, and riparian areas. They nest in cavities of large trees, crevices among rocks and human-made structures, and in nest boxes. Populations may be limited the availability of large trees with suitable cavities in many parts of the breeding range.

General Phenology and Life History In areas where kestrels do not overwinter, they return in late winter or early spring. Egg-laying begins in March in the south and as late as June in the north. In the south, a pair may produce two broods, but second broods in the north are the result of a failed nest. The time from egg-laying to fledging is about 60 days. Fledged young are dependent on parents for another two weeks or a little more. Siblings often spend the summer together.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Live individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
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Feeding
One or more individuals are seen feeding or foraging. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field.

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Calls or song
One or more individuals are heard calling or singing.

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Territorial individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard defending a territory. This may be indicated by calls or song used as part of a territorial proclamation, chasing of an individual of the same species from a breeding area (but do not confuse this with courtship behavior, which in some species may involve chasing), or calls or displays directed at individuals of the same or a different species to defend a feeding area.

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Reproduction Courtship
A male and female are seen near one another and are engaged in courtship behavior. Do not include male displays in the absence of a female.

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Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually with the male on top of the female.

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Nest building
One or more adults are seen constructing a nest or carrying nesting material.

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Occupied nest
One or more adults are seen sitting on a nest, entering or leaving a nest site under circumstances indicating its use for nesting (including nest defense behavior), or live eggs or nestlings are seen in a nest.

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Development Nestlings
One or more young are seen or heard in a nest.

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Fledged young
One or more young are seen recently departed from the nest. This includes young incapable of sustained flight and young which are still dependent on adults.

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Dead individuals
One or more dead individuals are seen.

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Dead nestlings or fledglings
One ore more dead nestlings or young are seen.

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Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

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What do these phenophases look like?

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