Bird of the Week 7/6 - 7/10

This week’s bird is the: American Kestrel

1. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America, weighing in at about one-quarter of a pound, with a wingspan of less than two feet.

2. Small predator = small prey. This bird mostly eats insects and small mammals like mice and voles.

3. This bird usually sits on a perch, waiting for prey to appear before swooping down. When on a perch, kestrels will bob their head up and down, probably to get a better sense of how far away prey is1. Bird’s eyes can’t rotate as much in their sockets compared to humans, so to get a different look at something birds move their whole head.

4. When not on a perch, this kestrel will sometimes “hover-hunt” – flying in place either by riding the wind or by flapping rapidly. While it does so, its head remains remarkably stable. Check out a video here.

5. American Kestrels are cavity nesters and will nest in nest boxes. Feeling overwhelmed by the number of insects and small mammals like mice and voles in your life? Try installing one of these!