American Kestrel

Female Kestrel

Male Kestrel

Copyright Barbara Samuelson 2001

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) - The female kestrel identified by her russet colored wings and striped tail. The adult male has blue-grey wings and a sub-terminal tail band. The kestrel is the smallest and most common of the falcons. Found in open country and in cities, they feed on insects, reptiles, and small mammals, hovering over prey before plunging.