Kestrel
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Our male American Kestrel came to us from The Delaware Valley Raptor Center in Milford, Pennsylvania in the winter of 2013. He was hit by a car while learning how to fly (fledging) and shattered his right wing, rendering him flightless. He now resides in our outside aviary. Our American kestrel started participating in educational programs about a year after his arrival.
Average Height: 8.7 - 12.2 inches
Average Weight: 2.8 - 5.8 ounces
Wingspan: 20.1 - 24 inches
Life Span: 5 – 10 years in the wild, up to 17 years in captivity.
Description: American kestrels have pale underparts with reddish-brown backs, spotted with black. Males have slate blue wings. Both males and females have striking, vertical black stripes under their eyes.
Call: A loud series of 3 to 6 short notes, “klee-klee-klee!”
Range: American kestrels are found throughout the United States and Central and South America year-round. In the summer they can be found in Canada.
Habitat: Meadows, grasslands, and farm fields, as well as in parks, urban and suburban areas.
Diet: Their diet includes insects, such as grasshoppers and cicadas, as well as small mammals such as mice and moles.
