American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
-Belonging to the falcon family, the kestrel is the smallest but the most familiar and widespread in North America
-Falcons have slimmer body shapes and tend to be faster in flight than hawks
-These birds are found across North America, except for the extreme northern parts of Canada
-Feeding primarily on large insects (especially grasshoppers), these raptors will also prey upon small mammals, birds, and reptiles
-Like most birds, the male has the more vivid colorations, with bluish-gray feathers, while the females’ feathers are rusty browns
-Males bring food to the female in flight during courtship
-Nests are made in cavities, either in dead trees, dirt banks or cliffs, or old magpie nests, where eggs are incubated by both parents
-Offspring: usually 4-6 white or pale brown eggs spotted with brown and gray
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have 2 females. Can you tell the differences between males and females. The males have very pretty blue on their wings. Can you tell the 2 girls apart apart? Remember that in birds, males are generally prettier than females. Ms. Bonnie and Mr. Claduette,
Falco sparverius
-Belonging to the falcon family, the kestrel is the smallest but the most familiar and widespread in North America
-Falcons have slimmer body shapes and tend to be faster in flight than hawks
-These birds are found across North America, except for the extreme northern parts of Canada
-Feeding primarily on large insects (especially grasshoppers), these raptors will also prey upon small mammals, birds, and reptiles
-Like most birds, the male has the more vivid colorations, with bluish-gray feathers, while the females’ feathers are rusty browns
-Males bring food to the female in flight during courtship
-Nests are made in cavities, either in dead trees, dirt banks or cliffs, or old magpie nests, where eggs are incubated by both parents
-Offspring: usually 4-6 white or pale brown eggs spotted with brown and gray
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have 2 females. Can you tell the differences between males and females. The males have very pretty blue on their wings. Can you tell the 2 girls apart apart? Remember that in birds, males are generally prettier than females. Ms. Bonnie and Mr. Claduette,