The American kestrel (Falco sparverius), is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. Formerly called sparrowhawk.
North America's littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator's fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors.
American kestrel
Bird
The American kestrel, is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. Formerly called "sparrowhawk", a misnomer as it is a true falcon and is unrelated genetically to the Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Falco sparverius
Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)
Mass: 4.1 oz
Family: Falconidae
Class: Aves
Speed: 39 mph
Domain: Eukaryota
Source: Encyclopedia of Life
People also ask
Are American Kestrels rare?
As engaging a bird as you'll ever see, the kestrel is the smallest and most common of the falcons.
What is the smallest raptor?
Say hello to North America's smallest raptor: the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). This tiny predator weighs in at around 3-6 ounces, the equivalent of around 30 to 60 pennies. You can find these cute, year-round residents of the Bay Area hunting insects, small mammals and small birds in open fields and scrublands.
Can you have an American kestrel as a pet?
Raptors are not pets, and they do not behave like parrots. They are predators, and as such they are inherently dangerous and are forever wild. Raptors taken from the wild are always considered “wild raptors” and cannot be sold, but they may be gifted to other falconers.
What is special about a kestrel?
Kestrels, like a few other birds of prey, are very good at hovering. With the help of a good headwind, kestrels can flap their wings vigorously and maneuver their tail to stay in one spot, like a helicopter in mid-air, while searching the ground for prey.
Our smallest falcon, the kestrel is also the most familiar and widespread in North America. In open country it is commonly seen perched on roadside wires.
American kestrels are small, sexually-dichromatic falcons. Males exhibit blue-gray wings and crowns, while females have reddish-brown wings and crowns.
Petite falcon roughly the same size as Mourning Dove, but with a larger head and wider tail. In flight, note long, narrow wings and square-tipped tail.
Scientific Name: Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758. Other Common Names: American kestrel (EN) , Cernícalo Americano, Halconcito Colorado (ES) , Crécerelle d'Amé ...
The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. It has a roughly two-to-one range in size over subspecies ...
Jun 21, 2024 · The smallest and most colorful falcon in North America, this feisty bird has adapted well to our city and can be found throughout the five boroughs.
Formerly known as the Sparrow Hawk, the American Kestrel is the smallest, most numerous, and most widespread North American falcon. Of the 13 kestrel species ...
The Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) is a non-migratory subspecies of kestrel found in open pine savannahs, sandhills, prairies, ...
