Falcons (Falconidae)

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius. Large insects and small rodents, taken from a perch or while hovering.

Falcons (Falconidae)American KestrelFalco sparverius

Scientific name: Falco sparverius
Length: 8.7–12.2 in
Weight: 2.8–5.8 oz
Nest: Tree cavities, crevices and nest boxes in open country
Entrance hole: 3 in
Clutch: 3–7 eggs
Incubation: 26–32 days
Broods: 1–2 per season

Identification

Small falcon with rusty back and tail
Two black face stripes on a pale head
Male has blue-grey wings

Voice

Shrill, rapid 'killy-killy-killy'.

Diet and feeding

Large insects and small rodents, taken from a perch or while hovering.

What do American eat? · Best feeder for American

American Kestrels by state and province

Region	Status	Nesting
Alabama	Year-round resident	February–June
Alaska	Summer breeder	April–June
Alberta	Summer breeder	April–June
Arizona	Year-round resident	February–June
Arkansas	Year-round resident	March–June
British Columbia	Year-round resident	April–June
California	Year-round resident	February–June
Colorado	Year-round resident	March–June
Connecticut	Year-round resident	March–June
Delaware	Year-round resident	March–June
Florida	Year-round resident	February–June
Georgia	Year-round resident	February–June
Idaho	Year-round resident	March–June
Illinois	Year-round resident	March–June
Indiana	Year-round resident	March–June
Iowa	Year-round resident	March–June
Kansas	Year-round resident	March–June
Kentucky	Year-round resident	March–June
Louisiana	Year-round resident	February–June
Maine	Year-round resident	April–June
Manitoba	Summer breeder	April–June
Maryland	Year-round resident	March–June
Massachusetts	Year-round resident	March–June
Michigan	Year-round resident	March–June
Minnesota	Year-round resident	April–June
Mississippi	Year-round resident	February–June
Missouri	Year-round resident	March–June
Montana	Year-round resident	April–June
Nebraska	Year-round resident	March–June
Nevada	Year-round resident	March–June
New Brunswick	Year-round resident	April–June
New Hampshire	Year-round resident	April–June
New Jersey	Year-round resident	March–June
New Mexico	Year-round resident	March–June
New York	Year-round resident	March–June
Newfoundland and Labrador	Summer breeder	April–June
North Carolina	Year-round resident	March–June
North Dakota	Year-round resident	April–June
Northwest Territories	Summer breeder	April–June
Nova Scotia	Year-round resident	April–June
Ohio	Year-round resident	March–June
Oklahoma	Year-round resident	March–June
Ontario	Year-round resident	April–June
Oregon	Year-round resident	March–June
Pennsylvania	Year-round resident	March–June
Prince Edward Island	Year-round resident	April–June
Quebec	Year-round resident	April–June
Rhode Island	Year-round resident	March–June
Saskatchewan	Summer breeder	April–June
South Carolina	Year-round resident	February–June
South Dakota	Year-round resident	March–June
Tennessee	Year-round resident	March–June
Texas	Year-round resident	February–June
Utah	Year-round resident	March–June
Vermont	Year-round resident	April–June
Virginia	Year-round resident	March–June
Washington	Year-round resident	March–June
West Virginia	Year-round resident	March–June
Wisconsin	Year-round resident	April–June
Wyoming	Year-round resident	April–June
Yukon	Summer breeder	April–June

Frequently asked

What do American eat?

Large insects and small rodents, taken from a perch or while hovering. At feeders: none — hunts in open ground; a kestrel box is the draw.

How big is a American Kestrel?

8.7–12.2 in long and 2.8–5.8 oz.

Do American use birdhouses?

Yes — a 3 in entrance, 8 × 8 in floor, mounted 10–30 ft.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.