American Kestrel
Vibrantly colored American Kestrels appear throughout North America year-round, as far south as Mexico in the winter, and throughout Canada in the summer. American Kestrels’ prey typically consists of large insects, along with small reptiles, birds and mammals.
Identify the more colorful males by their solid rusty back and contrasting blue-gray wings. Male and female each sport two distinctive dark vertical face stripes.
“The American Kestrel is our smallest, most abundant, and most vibrantly colorful Falcon. Watch for their dramatic aerial show of slow hovering mid-air facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place before rapidly diving to seize unwitting prey in their powerful talons.”
Expert Birder Betty Kanne
Species Gallery
