American Kestrel: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Hawks and Falcons · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. No falcon in the Americas is smaller or more common. Depending on the bird, it weighs about as much as a blue jay or a mourning dove.
2. On the back of its neck sit two black spots. The most popular idea is that they act as false eyes that help protect it from attackers.
3. It can hang in the air on fast-beating wings while it scans the ground. Just before it strikes, it bobs its head and tail.
4. Kestrels live above the Arctic Circle, in the tropics and over 4,500 m up in the Andes, all the way down to Tierra del Fuego.
5. Kestrels nest in holes: in trees, in old woodpecker holes, on cliff ledges and even inside hollows in cactuses. They also love nest boxes.

The quiz

1. What makes the American kestrel stand out among falcons of the Americas?

• It is the largest
• It is the smallest and most common (correct)
• It only flies at night
• It lives only on islands

It is the Americas' smallest and most common falcon.

2. What may the two black spots on the back of a kestrel's neck do?

• Help it see behind
• Attract insects
• Act as false eyes against attackers (correct)
• Keep its neck warm

The most accepted idea is that they act as false eyes for protection.

3. What does a kestrel do just before it strikes?

• It closes its eyes
• It sings a long song
• It spreads its tail like a fan
• It bobs its head and tail (correct)

It characteristically bobs its head and tail, then flies straight at the prey.

4. How high up in the Andes do American kestrels live?

• Over 4,500 m (correct)
• Never above 100 m
• Exactly 1,000 m
• Only at sea level

They live at elevations of over 4,500 m in the Andes.

5. Which of these is an unusual place where kestrels have nested?

• A floating raft of reeds
• A hollow in a cactus (correct)
• A burrow under the sand
• A nest woven from grass

They have been recorded nesting in old cavities in cactuses.

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