American kestrel

Falco sparverius

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in the Americas.

Family: Falconidae Order: Falconiformes Conservation: Least Concern

About the American kestrel

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in the Americas. Though it has been called the American "sparrow hawk", this now obsolete vernacular name is a misnomer; the American kestrel is a true falcon, while neither the Eurasian sparrowhawk nor the other species called sparrowhawks are in the family Falconidae, hence only very distantly related to the American kestrel. It has a roughly two-to-one range in size over subspecies and sex, varying in size from about the weight of a blue jay to a mourning dove. It is a very successful species, occurring almost throughout North and South America except for the Arctic fringes of North America, and the densest tropical Amazon rainforest areas; it has evolved into 17 subspecies adapted to different environments a

Fun Facts About American kestrel

It is a very successful species, occurring almost throughout North and South America except for the Arctic fringes of North America, and the densest tropical Amazon rainforest areas; it has evolved into 17 subspecies adapted to different environments and habitats throughout the region.
Though it has been called the American "sparrow hawk", this now obsolete vernacular name is a misnomer; the American kestrel is a true falcon, while neither the Eurasian sparrowhawk nor the other species called sparrowhawks are in the family Falconidae, hence only very distantly related to the American kestrel.
This broad diet has contributed to its wide success as a species.
The female lays three to seven eggs, which both sexes help to incubate.
The American kestrel usually hunts in an energy-conserving fashion by perching and scanning the ground for prey to ambush, though it also hunts from the air.

Conservation Status

The American kestrel is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	Falconiformes
Family	Falconidae
Genus	Falco
Species	Falco sparverius

Range & Habitat