Habitat
American kestrels inhabit a wide
range of habitats, from deserts to forest edges, but they prefer more open country. |
Physical
Characteristics
American kestrels are the smallest falcons in North America, and next to the Seychelles kestrels (Falco araea),
are the smallest kestrels in the world. Their long, tapered wings give them the telltale characteristics of a
falcon. This is one of the few raptors in North America where the males and females can be distinguished by
their plumage. Both males and females have rusty-colored heads with a gray fringe. Males have reddish-brown
backs, blue-gray wings and a reddish-brown tail. Females have reddish-brown wings and banded tails. The
female's breast is beige and heavily streaked with brown. Females are considerably larger than males,
averaging 9 to 11 inches (23-28 cm). Males average 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm). Females have wingspans up
to 2 feet (60 cm). American kestrels weigh between 3.5 and 5.5 ounces (100-155 gr). |
Life
Span
A banded American kestrel lived 11.5 years in the wild. The maximum recorded age in captivity is about
17 years. |
Diet
In the wild: During summer months, American kestrels feed primarily in the early morning and
evening hours on large insects such as grasshoppers. They also hunt small rodents and birds. During the
winter, they hunt throughout daylight hours, preying primarily upon small birds and rodents.
At
the zoo:Quail, mice and insects.
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Reproduction
American kestrels are solitary birds throughout most of the year. During the mating season, however,
males and females pair up and establish territories which they both defend. American kestrels chiefly
nest in old tree cavities, but hollows in buildings and holes in cut banks of streams and rock faces
as well as nest boxes, are also used. A clutch of four to six buff-colored eggs are laid at two- or
three-day intervals. Eggs are incubated for about 30 days by the female.
Life
Cycle
Chicks are fed bits of prey brought to the nest by the male.
After about 20 days, chicks are eating whole prey. About 30 days after
hatching, they are ready to leave the nest, although parents and their
young remain together for a period of time thereafter. When alarmed,
kestrels utter a high-pitched cry of excitement, alarm or irritation
which can be described as klee-klee-klee or killy-killy-killy.
Amazing Hangtime
A kestrel's flight is buoyant, rapid and graceful. These birds are frequently
observed in both urban and rural areas, and when hunting they seek high
perches such as trees or utility lines from which they search
the ground for prey. If something of interest is spotted, the kestrel may
hover over the spot where the prey was spotted.
Many birds can hover, but few can maintain this tiring mode of flight as long as the kestrel. The
lightweight kestrel accomplishes this amazing feat by rapidly beating its powerful wings, and at
the same time fanning out its tail feathers to provide lift from the wind.
Whether from a perch or from the air, once prey is spotted, the kestrel's attack is quick and decisive.
Partially folding its wings, it swoops to the ground, captures its prey with its sharp talons and
returns to its perch to eat.
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Fascinating
Facts
- Kestrels possess a pair of false eye spots on the nape of the neck. These dark circles are thought to be a form of protective coloration because they look like "watching-eyes" and may deter potential predators!
- Along the East Coast of the U.S., hundreds
of kestrels can be observed migrating from a single coastal vantage point in one day!
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American
kestrels can be seen at the zoo's Raptor Center. However, other birds
that can be viewed at the Raptor Center include the bald
eagle, gyrfalcon, Harris's hawk, turkey vulture as well as great horned,
spectacled and barred owls. Woodland Park Zoo's Eagle Release Program
has rehabilitated and released back into the wild more than 80 eagles,
plus other raptor species.
American kestrels
are not endangered and are one of the most common New World raptors.
Despite the overall health of American kestrel populations throughout
the New World, some populations, including those in Florida, Texas,
Arkansas and some northeastern states, are decreasing due to habitat
alteration. Installing nesting boxes and protecting vital habitat
required by these raptors will help to stabilize these populations.
Many raptor species are in danger. Human-caused changes in land use are escalating,
and this affects the habitats and migratory corridors required by some raptors
for survival. Vast forests are removed for timber and other paper products, and
industrial emissions pollute water and air resources.
Critical
shoreline and riparian zone habitats are rapidly converted by expanding
human
communities and agricultural needs. Illegal shooting and trapping
are also lowering raptor numbers. It's only a matter of time
until more raptor species may face extinction, unless we protect
their habitats.
Humans need raptors. Here are only a few of the benefits raptors provide:
- Raptors help keep
animal populations in balance.
- Raptors consume
many animals that humans consider as pests, including mice, rats
and destructive species of insects. This helps to control disease
and damage to crops.
- As top predators
of their food chain, raptors are an indicator species of the overall
health of the ecosystem in which they live.
- Of equal importance,
witnessing wild raptors enriches each of our lives. Imagine what
life would be like if we could no longer gaze upon the grandeur
of raptors soaring high above.
How
You Can Help!
Efforts
to save threatened and endangered raptors require cooperation and support
at international, national, regional and individual levels. You can help
in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation
organizations. Recycle forest products. Eliminate or reduce pesticide use.
Support breeding programs for endangered birds of prey at zoos and other
animal care organizations. Let your elected representatives know your views
about the conservation of migratory birds and their wild habitats.
Contact the Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to find ways you
can support conservation programs at the zoo. Discover more about raptors by
contacting the Peregrine Fund at their website www.peregrinefund.org. Learn other ways you
can help conserve wildlife and their habitats by visiting How You Can Help.
Sources
and Suggested Reading
Johnsgard,
Paul A. 1990. Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons of North America. Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, DC. 403 p.
Weidensaul, Scott. 1996. Raptors: The Birds of Prey. Lyons and Burford, Publishers,
New York, NY. 382 p.
For Kids!
Burnie, David. 1988. Bird (Eyewitness Books). Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY. 64 p.
Zoobooks.
1986. Birds of Prey. Wildlife Education, Ltd., San Diego, CA. 16 p.
More References
* Taxonomic
classification varies between references. Classification information
used in this fact sheet
was taken from “A Complete Checklist of the Birds of the
World,” written by Richard Howard and Alick Moore. Second
Edition, 1991.
** Woodland Park Zoo identifies an animal
or plant endangered if it is listed as endangered (in any part
of its range) on the federal list of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants, or if it is listed on Appendix I to the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Updated: March 2008
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