| The American kestrel, formerly called the sparrow hawk, is the most common of our birds of prey. It is also the most adaptable and is, perhaps, even more numerous in urban areas than in its natural habitat. Adaptable wildlife species possess the ability to alter their feeding habits, nest in different situations and more or less ignore the presence and activity of their human neighbors. City Kestrels tend to feed largely on the common English sparrow, while the country Kestrels feed on voles, with large numbers of insects included in summer and fall.
Kestrels are true falcons, characterized by long, pointed wings, dark brown eyes and notched beaks. All are very swift fliers and none construct a conventional nest.
Kestrels are unique in that they nest in holes and cavities in trees. They also inhabit nooks and crannies in houses and barns, in much the same manner as starlings. Sometimes they even occupy Purple Martin houses simultaneously with the martins.
Kestrels are most obvious during the winter as they hover motionless in the air over fields, or perch on electric wires and road signs along highways, patiently scanning the ground below for food.
Length 10 1/2 inches, wingspread 23 inches
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