North America’s Smallest Falcon
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Being both the smallest and most common falcon of North America, it is said the American Kestrel is also the most colorful!
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Male American Kestrel (identified by his wing’s slate blue/gray color that the female lacks)
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Their size:
– Length: 8.7-12.2 in (22-31 cm)
– Weight: 2.8-5.8 oz (80-165 g)
– Wingspan: 20.1-24.0 in (51-61 cm)
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Kestrels are most commonly seen on fences, telephone poles, and utility lines. So when I saw this kestrel atop a palm tree spike, I knew I had to get the shot.
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American Kestrel (male) with a big view
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Cool fact:
Unlike humans, birds can see ultraviolet light. This enables kestrels to literally see the trails of urine that voles leave as they run along the ground. Like neon Diner signs, these bright paths highlight the way to an instant meal for the American Kestrel!
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American Kestrel at sunset
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Wonderful sighting, Donna! We only see Kestrels rarely and I love their beautiful colors! We have a permanently injured American Kestrel at the Nature Center where I volunteer. So sad that she can’t return to the wild, and she’s still skittish around people.
Thank you, Carol. Sorry to hear about your female kestrel, I can only imagine how scared she must feel being injured and vulnerable. I’m going to make you jealous, there are quite a few kestrels around Everglades City, I see them almost daily. I’m trying to figure out if they each have their own a territory.
Lucky you! I look forward to finding out what you discover about how large their territories are. We were just talking up here about how many pairs of Great Horned Owls can be sustained on our refuge, and then realized of course that the refuge lands probably consist of tens of thousands of more acres than what the public can actually visit and see!
i did not know about the ability to see ultraviolet light.
Beautiful shots, Donna. I have only one photo of a Kestrel and not a good one… 🙂
Thank you, HJ! There are quite a few around the little town of Everglades City, waiting for a photo shoot! 😉
I have yet to see a Kestrel up close in person. These are beautiful photos, and a real incentive to get out there myself and find one.
Thank you, Susan, you must find one for some close-ups, the colors are stunning!
A beautiful little Kestrel Donna.
Thank you, Ashley!
Great captures. I have been seeing a lot of them lately at The Holler. Healthy & Happy New Year to you Donna! 👪🌃🥂🎇🕛
Thank you, they are a welcomed winter gem! Healthy and Happy New Year to you too, Cindy!
Beutiful pictures Donna, love their spotted feathers.
Thank you, Hans, they are little stunners with all their contrasting colors!
That is a cool fact! 👍👍
😁 Thanks Mike!
Wonderful photos, Donna.
Happy New Year!!
Thank you, Isabel! Happy New Year!!
These cute little guys are my favorite raptor. Used to see them sitting on the fence posts on the road to work in Utah!
Great shots with fantastic detail! (As usual)! 😊
Thank you, Gunta! It’s easy to fall in love with this tiny, colorful raptor. 🙂
Beautiful bird and excellent shot, Donna!
Thank you, Indira!!
That cool fact is so interesting! Amazing… Our nature center has a rescued kestrel who cannot be returned to the wild so it’s been a thrill to see this bird up close. I love his coloring. It’s so nice to see your pictures of one in a natural setting.
Saw that cool fact and had to post it, lol. So sorry to hear about your injured kestrel, they must feel so helpless and vulnerable. They are beautiful! Now my hunt is on to find them not on a wire or pole! 😉
Very Nice Donna! I only saw one once and was too far to get a good image. But it was still fun to see!
Thank you, Reed! They are a tiny package of fierceness, yet beauty too! I hope you’ll get the perfect photo shoot with one of these some day. 🤞
My favorite raptor to photograph. Even have an image hanging in my office.
Gorgeous photos, Donna. Happy New Year! 😁
Thank you, Imorgana. Happy New Year!! 😊
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Excellent clicks!! Happy New Year 2021 to you all!
Thank you, Jyothi, Happy New Year!!
Beautiful photos! Love these little guys!
Thank you, Martha! Me too!!
Fantastic photos and great fact! Happy New Year!
Thank you! Happy New Year!!
Amazing factoid and gorgeous photos, Donna. I love how dapper this bird is!
Thank you, Eliza! Dapper is an awesome description!
They have such fine colours. That is a very interesting fact too 😏.
Thank you, Belinda! Fun fact, lol 😉
Beautiful, I love Kestrels. Call me crazy, I know they are predators, but I think they are so dang adorable!
Thanks Sheila! I agree, they are adorable!!
Such a pretty little raptor. I photographed some captives at a wildlife refuge Back East years ago and got to see the beautiful markings close up. I am always glad to see them flying about the ranch fields here in Colorado. Nice captures Donna!
I agree, the coloring and patterns are gorgeous. They don’t appear so fierce as the raptor they are! Thanks Denise!