Raptor Profiles, Apprentice Level Birds: American Kestrel

This is just a primer for what is to come, in this and the next post I am going to profile in detail the two mos common Raptors that are available to the apprentice falconer, these are the birds that I will come to know the best over the next several years

For my own benefit after introducing the bird by its common name, I will be using the scientific name to help it sink into my brain.

American Kestrel (falco sparverius)

Full Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia
   Phylum: Chordata
      Class: Aves
         Order: Falconiformes
            Family: Falconidae
               Genus: Falco
                  Species: Sparverius 

Physical Description:

The smallest of all the true falcons that is native to North America and the second smallest true falcon on earth, Falco Sparverius is known to be between 9-12" in length, with a wing span of just under two feet. Falco Sparverius is roughly comparable in size to a Blue Jay, having sharp wings typical of the falconidae family, as well as a long tail. Males exhibit slate gray coloring on the wings and head, and a beautiful rust coloration along the back and tail. The females of the species on the other hand exhibit the red coloring across the majority of the body. Both sexes exhibit the tear drop and mustache markings on the face that so characteristically defines falcons as well.

Juvenile plumage is largely very similar to that of the adult sometimes making passage birds difficult to identify.  

Nesting and Environmental Status:

Though these birds share a wide variety of habitats, they tend to have very similar nesting habits across the board. Falco Sparverius,  though a falcon, tends to prefer more secure and secretive nesting locations as opposed to the scrape, ledge, or exposed nest that other falcons prefer. They often find hollows in trees, woodpecker holes, or other crevices. They are also known for nesting in large bird houses as well. Falco Sparverius lay four to five eggs in a clutch, rarely is it more or less and only ever by one or two either way. Incubation is 29-31 days. Kestrel eggs are small, oval, and tend to be primarily white or cream in color, sometimes tending toward pink, with brown, or tan, spots or dots across the surface.

Falco Sparverius is considered a low risk bird environmentally speaking as it is the most populous raptor in the country, with an estimated 4 million individuals of breeding age world wide. 

Habitat and Range:

Falco Sparverius has a local range that encapsulates the majority of the North American continent in some way or another, with a migratory range reaching well into northern Canada and Alaska as well as deep into southern Mexico and beyond. They have a permanent range that covers most of the lower 48 states. As well they are very wide spread birds really inhabiting a large majority of the two American continents.

Falco Sparverius lives in a large variety of habitats given its vast range. However, it is most comfortable and likely to be found in open fields and meadows, often spotted sitting on power lines along the side of the road, or frequenting the fairways of golf courses.

Hunting Style:

Falco Sparverius typically hunts small insects, mice, and song birds. It is know for utilizing different hunting styles based on the quarry it is hunting. Fully capable of taking down birds on the wing, hunting in a more falcon like fashion. As well as stationary hunting from a perch or air-born hover, taking its prey on the ground as is more typical of the hawk and eagle families.