American Kestrel, Falco sparverius

American Kestrel, Falco sparverius. Birds photographed in the greater Santa Barbara area, Santa Barbara, California, September 2021. Photographs courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.

American Kestrel, Falco sparverius. Birds photographed in the bush of the Los Cabos area of Baja California Sur, December 2019. Photographs courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.

American Kestrel, Falco sparverius. Photographs taken within the greater Bahía de los Ángeles area, Baja California, November 2015 and January 2024. Photographs courtesy of George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles. Identifications courtesy of Mary & George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles.

Background and Identification

Formerly known as the Sparrow Hawk, the American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, is a member of the Falconidae Family of Falcons and Caracaras. It is one of North America’s smallest and most colorful falcons. Its distinctive markings and hunting style make it a beloved sight for birdwatchers across the continent. In Mexico, the American Kestrel is known as Cernícalo Americano.

The American Kestral is a sexually dichromatic species. Adult males have blue-grey wings, a rust-colored back, and two vertical black stripes on their whitish faces. Females and juveniles have warm-toned brown plumage and black barring on their wings and tails. This species also exhibits sexual size dimorphism, with females slightly larger than males. Their eyes are dark brown and sit beneath a very prominent superorbital ridge. One of the most distinguishable features of the American Kestral is its black-streaked, whitish underparts that are often described as looking like a polka-dotted vest. Within each sex, juvenile individuals closely resemble mature adults.

Habitat and Geographical Range

 American Kestrels are highly adaptable birds and are found in a variety of habitats. These include open country, cities, farmland, and the edges of woodland. They tend to thrive in open areas such as grasslands, deserts, fields, meadows, and even some urban environments due to the magnitude of food sources. They consume large insects, birds, small mammals, and reptiles. When looking for this species, birdwatchers should check for perched Kestrels on utility lines and fence posts, or hovering Kestrels over farm fields and meadows as they hunt for prey.

The American Kestrel’s range extends from Alaska and Canada down to the southernmost tip of South America. They are found throughout Mexico at elevations below 3,690 m (12,100 feet). Some populations are migratory, but other populations are year-round residents in their respective territories.

Common Misidentifications

Despite its distinctive appearance, the American Kestrel can sometimes be mistaken for other birds of prey, especially when seen at a far distance or in low-light conditions. One common misidentification is with the Merlin, Falco columbarius, another small falcon species. However, Merlins typically have darker plumage and lack the American Kestrel’s distinctive black facial stripes. Additionally, male American Kestrels can be confused with the similarly sized and colored European Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, though they inhabit different continents.

Conservation Status

From a conservation perspective, the American Kestrel is currently considered of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations noting that in some regions their populations are in decline. Habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation poses a significant threat to this species. Additionally, pesticides and insecticides used in agriculture can indirectly harm kestrels by reducing their insect prey populations or causing direct poisoning. Continued monitoring and research are essential to ensure the long-term survival of the American Kestrel.