Zoology of the ZooPl. CXLIX
American kestrel
Falco sparverius
Aves · Falconiformes · Falconidae
Fig. 1. American kestrel
Fig. 2. Range
| Length or height | About 22-31 cm long; wingspan about 51-61 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 80-165 g |
| Food | Insects, lizards, mice |
| Lifespan | About 5 years in the wild (est.) |
| Society | Pairs; nests in cavities |
| Habitat | grassland, urban |
| Range | North America, South America |
| Wild or tame | Wild |
The smallest falcon in North America, and a clear case of sexual dimorphism in raptors: males have blue-gray wings, females rusty ones. The Southeastern kestrel of Florida is state-threatened.
Observe: Watch it hover in place over a field before dropping.