The beak is yellow at the nostrils, while the remainder of the beak is blue
While on a hike through a wash in Saguaro National Park, we came across an American kestrel that was being pestered by a northern mockingbird. Presumably, the mockingbird was trying to scare the kestrel away from a nest. We watched for about 20 minutes as the mockingbird repeatedly dove down at the kestrel, trying to get it to move. Finally, the annoyed kestrel relented and flew away to a nearby saguaro cactus. The mockingbird flew with it the entire way. Once it had shooed the raptor away, it flew back to the area where the nest presumably was.
The male American kestrel has a blue head and top-side of its wings. It has a light brown chest with black spots. The light brown fades to white as you move from its chest to its tail. The tip of its tail is black. Its head has two black lines protruding down from either side of each eye. The rest of the head is white. The beak is yellow at the nostrils, while the remainder of the beak is blue. The female American kestrel has brown and black striped wings, a white chest with brown spots, a blue top side of its head, and the same coloration to its beak as the male. Both the male and female have black eyes.
The American kestrel is the smallest raptor in America. They range in size from eight and a half to just over 12 inches in length. Their wingspan is between 20 and 24 inches. Females are larger than the males by about 10-15%. The males weigh between three and five ounces, while the female can weigh as much as six ounces. The tail is four to six inches in length.
These birds can be found across many different habitats, including grasslands, meadows, deserts, and other open to semi-open regions. They must have some form of perch with an open space for hunting, as well as cavities for nesting to make a home. They have been found north of the Arctic Circle, as well as in the tropics of Central America. In terms of elevation, they have been found as high as 14,800 feet in the Andes Mountains.
The American kestrel is the smallest raptor in America
Did you know?
- There are 17 subspecies of the American kestrel. They are recognized generally based upon their plumage, size, and vocalizations.
- These birds produce three different vocalizations: the "klee" or "killy", the "whine", and the "chitter".
- This is the only kestrel that is found in the Americas.
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