American Kestrel Images, Facts and Information:
Falco sparverius
- The American Kestrel is the smallest and most colorful falcon species of North America.
- The male and female are alike in shape but different in coloration, the male has slate-blue wings and head that contrast nicely with his rusty back and tail and the female has those same rusty tones on her back, wings and tail. The female also has a barred pattern on her back, wings and tail. Both the male and female have boldly patterned heads.
- They hunt mainly for insects and small mammals but will take a small bird when they have the chance. American Kestrels usually capture their prey on the ground but they will also catch prey on the wing.
- Their habitat includes, open meadows, grasslands, deserts, road sides, towns, cities and farmlands.
- American Kestrels are cavity nesters. They lay between 3 to 7 eggs which take 26 to 32 days to hatch. The female is the primary incubator but males will also incubate on occasion.
- A common nickname for American Kestrels is “Sparrow Hawk”.
- A group of falcons can be called a “bazaar”, “eyrie”, “stooping up” and a “tower” of falcons.
- American Kestrels live between 10 to 15 years.
I hope you enjoy viewing my American Kestrel photos.
Female American Kestrel bending over her prey
Title: Female American Kestrel bending over her prey
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
Female American Kestrel getting rid of the vole’s intestines
Title: Female American Kestrel getting rid of the vole’s intestines
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
American Kestrel tugging hard at her prey
Title: She is really tugging hard
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
Female American Kestrel with an appetite
Title: She has an appetite
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
Kestrel with a beak full of prey
Title: A kestrel with a beak full of prey
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
Kestrel with her prey
Title: Kestrel with her prey
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
Female American Kestrel eating a vole
Title: Female American Kestrel eating a vole
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
American Kestrel really tugging at the vole
Title: American Kestrel really tugging at the vole
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 2/2/2012
American Kestrel near Frary Peak Trail
Title: American Kestrel near Frary Peak Trail
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/31/2012
Male American Kestrel lifting off from a post
Title: Male American Kestrel lifting off from a post
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/22/2012
American Kestrel resting near the shore of the Great Salt Lake
Title: American Kestrel resting near the shore of the Great Salt Lake
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/17/2012
What a cute American Kestrel pose!
Title: What a cute American Kestrel pose!
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/2/2012
American Kestrel cleaning his feet
Title: American Kestrel cleaning his feet
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/2/2012
American Kestrel with tail fanned
Title: American Kestrel with tail fanned
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/2/2012
American Kestrel preening its tail feathers
Title: American Kestrel preening its tail feathers
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/2/2012
Even American Kestrels can look goofy
Title: Even American Kestrels can look goofy
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/2/2012
Male American Kestrel resting on Rabbitbrush
Title: Male American Kestrel resting on Rabbitbrush
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 1/2/2012
American Kestrel male on frosty Rabbitbrush
Title: American Kestrel male on frosty Rabbitbrush
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 12/26/2011
Frosty Rabbitbrush and a male American Kestre
Title: A frosty Rabbitbrush and a male American Kestrel
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 12/26/2011
American Kestrel fluttering on an old post
Title: American Kestrel fluttering on an old post
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 12/5/2011