Bird
American Kestrel
Big personality, tiny package
Where Kestrels Hunt
Kestrels can be found in most open habitats and are frequently seen in pastures and parklands perched along the road. In Maine, look for them hovering over fields or perched on telephone wires.
Hover Experts
Kestrels are famous for their hover-hunting abilities, more adept than any other raptor. When hovering, they scan below for prey while remaining in precise airspace. They're also high-energy birds, often bobbing their heads and tails and vocalizing with an excited "klee-klee-klee".
Quick Facts
Average Size
The smallest falcon in North America at just 9-12 inches long with a 20-25 inch wingspan. Roughly the size of a mourning dove.
What's on the Menu
Grasshoppers and insects in summer; mice, voles, shrews, small birds, snakes, and frogs in winter.
The Look
Males have a rust-colored back and tail with bluish-gray wings. Females are brown with black barring. Both sport a bold two-stripe face pattern.
