North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. 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.
In medieval falconry the kestrel was reserved for the knave, reflecting its lowly status. This small but mighty predator may not be impressive in terms of size, but it makes up for it with its other attributes. What makes the American kestrel so special? Keep reading to learn some interesting facts about this pocket-sized raptor.
1. THE AMERICAN KESTREL IS THE SMALLEST FALCON IN NORTH AMERICA
Varying from about the size of a blue-jay to the size of a mourning dove. The American kestrel is the smallest of its North American relatives. It shows the differences in size typical among birds of prey, with the females being slightly larger than the males. Male and female Kestrels can also be differentiated by color. Females have rusty brown wings, while the wings of males are slate blue. Males have one black bar on their tail feathers, and females have several.
2. KESTRELS CAN SEE ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
The ability to see UV light is a trait found in many diurnal hunting birds. This ability helps them track their prey as they hover in the air. There is speculation that the ability to see UV light helped them detect the urine small animals leave as they scurry along.
3. THEY HUNT AS A FAMILY
When young kestrels first begin to hunt, they are accompanied by their parents. This gives young birds an opportunity to become skilled hunters before they leave the nest. This is important since many young kestrels die of starvation. Only around 30-30% survive into adulthood. Unlike other species, there isn’t a lot of bickering among your kestrels. Siblings often perch together and fly together, before leaving the nest.
4. KESTREL CHICKS ARE RAVENOUS
The growing nestlings eat twice as much food in a day as an adult bird! This means these tiny nestlings are eating 2 to 3 mice or voles a day, which is especially shocking considering their tiny size. The female will stay with the chicks during the first 12-14 days after they hatch to help regulate their body temperature since they are unable to do this on their own and to protect them from predators. During this time the male will bring food for her and the nestlings.
5. KESTRELS DO NOT BUILD NESTS
Kestrels nest in cavities in trees abandoned crows nests, rock crevices, and any other nook or hollow they can find, whether natural or man-made. They do not have the ability to create their own holes, so they either need to find an unused one or evict the current resident. American kestrels have been seen chasing bluebirds and squirrels out of their nests. Unlike some birds, kestrels do not keep a neat nest. When they defecate, they typically do so up against one side of the nest. The nest also fills with leftover scraps of fur and bones from the nestlings. Despite the messy nests, kestrels will return to the same nesting sites year after year.
