Our Resident Amercian Kestrel

Spree

Date Brought to Sharon Audubon Center: August 2003

History: Spree, our resident American Kestrel, was actually stolen from the nest as a hatchling and raised illegally with the intention of being sold into the pet trade.  Fortunately, Spree was confiscated and brought to live here at the Sharon Audubon Center, where he has become an important member of our education program.

American Kestrel

(Falco sparvarius)

Average height: 9-12 inches

Average weight: 3-6 ounces

Wingspan: 20-24 inches

Description: The Smallest and most common falcon in North America, and one of the most colorful. Males have a rusty back and tail, blue-gray wings and head, and a lightly spotted chest and belly. The larger female also has a rust colored back and tail, but duller brown wings barred with black, and streaking on the chest. Both sexes also have a “mustache” or dark lines below the eyes that help to deflect sunlight away from the eyes of this small raptor.  Falcons are also distinguishable from other hawks by their long, slender pointed wings and long tails.

Call: loud series of “klee-klee-klee”

Habitat: American Kestrels prefer open habitats such as farmlands, fields, marshes, deserts with large cacti, forest edges and openings. They can also be seen perching on telephone wires along roads and in suburban areas.

Range: Common throughout North, Central and northern South America, though deforestation and habitat loss have lead to population decline in some areas.

Diet:  Often seen hovering as they search for food, their diet is primarily insects, rodents and other small birds which they catch in flight.