The American Kestrel

male (left) and Female (right) American Kestrels

The American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, (once known as the Sparrow Hawk), which happens to be the most common Falcon in the United States, is probably my favorite raptor. This pint sized bird of prey should not be judged by its small size. What they lack in size, they certainly make up for in tenacity and ability.

They are probably the most colorful bird of prey in the world, with the males sporting beautiful hues of oranges and blues, and distinctive patterns of spots on there chest, bellies and under its wings.

Kestrels can be spotted hovering over Fields hunting for its prey, which includes insects, small mammals, small birds, amphibians, and reptiles. While the hovering ability is one of the abilities that make these little raptors stand out, it is not used that often, reserved for areas where there isn't a good perch to hunt from.

Most of the time I see these guys sitting on telephone lines over looking Fields and roadsides. The are pretty easy to identify from a distance due to their habit of flicking their tails up and down while sitting on their perch when hunting.

A Male American Kestrel Showing his best colors

So if you happen to see a bird hovering over a Field, or sitting on a line twitching its tail in a rhythmic fashion, chances are it may be the American Kestrel, a very capable hunter who is just as at home in urban environments as they are in agricultural areas, natural and man made Fields, and open woodlands.