The small bird that bears resemblance to a falcon is likely the American kestrel. The American kestrel is a small, beautiful raptor that is sometimes confused for a tiny peregrine falcon due to the similarities in their appearances and behaviors.
Identifying Features of the American Kestrel
The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is North America’s smallest and most common falcon. It is a fierce predator that can be found in a variety of open habitats across much of North and South America. Despite its small size, the American kestrel is a powerful bird of prey. Here are some key identifying features of the American kestrel:
- Size: 7-12 inches long, with a wingspan of 20-24 inches. Smaller and more slender than other falcons.
- Coloration: Bright rusty reddish-brown back and tails, with black spots and bars. Blue-gray wings. Males have bright blue-gray wings and tails, while females have brown wings and tails with black barring.
- Markings: Distinctive black teardrop shaped markings below the eyes.
- Beak: Black hooked beak with a notch on the upper mandible.
- Hunting behavior: Hovers and dives to catch prey in open areas.
- Habitat: Found in meadows, grasslands, deserts, parks, pastures, and other open and semi-open regions.
- Voice: Loud, rapidly repeated three-or-four noted call of “klee, klee, klee.”
Comparison to the Peregrine Falcon
The similarity between the American kestrel and peregrine falcon cause them to be confused by casual bird watchers. However, there are several key differences:
American Kestrel | Peregrine Falcon |
---|---|
Small, only 7-12 inches long | Large, 15-21 inches long |
Long tail and wings | Short tail and long, pointed wings |
Bright reddish-brown back | Dark slate gray back |
Blue-gray wings (males) | Dark blackish wings |
Small feet | Large yellow feet |
While the American kestrel is tiny, the peregrine falcon is one of the largest falcons in North America. Peregrines have long, broad pointed wings for speed, while American kestrels have long tails and wings for agile maneuverability. Peregrine falcons are solid slate-gray on their backs, while kestrels are brightly colored with rusty reddish-brown backs. The peregrine’s wings are uniformly dark, unlike the kestrel’s bright blue-gray wings on the males. Peregrines also have larger feet that are yellow, unlike the smaller feet of kestrels.
Hunting and Prey
Despite the size difference, American kestrels and peregrine falcons are both powerful birds of prey that hunt in open areas. However, their hunting strategies and preferred prey differ:
- American kestrels primarily hunt small mammals, insects, and birds by hovering and diving down onto prey.
- Peregrines pursue birds in flight at high speed, killing their prey out of the air with their talons.
- American kestrels perch in open areas and scan for prey visually and with their keen eyesight.
- Peregrines aggressively patrol larger territories for bird prey and are less likely to scan from perches.
- Kestrels consume small prey like mice, voles, shrews, sparrows, and large insects.
- Peregrines take larger bird prey like doves and ducks.
The American kestrel is designed for maximizing visibility and speed to catch small, agile prey on the ground. The powerful peregrine is a nimble flier built for high-speed aerial pursuits of birds.
Habitat and Nesting
American kestrels and peregrine falcons generally occupy different habitats:
- American kestrels prefer open habitats like meadows, grasslands, parks, deserts, and pastures.
- Peregrines nest on tall cliffs and hunt around wetlands, marshes, valleys, and coastal areas.
- Kestrels nest in cavities in trees, rock crevices, or nest boxes.
- Peregrines do not build nests and lay eggs directly on cliffs or ledges.
The small American kestrel excels at hunting in grasslands and open areas. They are willing to use man-made nesting sites. The larger peregrine falcon is more closely associated with natural cliffs and takes advantage of wetland areas rich in bird prey. However, peregrines have adapted to urban areas and can sometimes be found nesting on tall buildings, mimicking their natural cliff habitats.
Geographic Ranges
Both American kestrels and peregrine falcons are widespread in North America, but the kestrel occupies a larger breeding range:
- American kestrels are year-round residents through much of the central and southern latitudes of North America.
- The breeding range extends across Canada and Alaska, south to the southernmost tip of South America.
- Peregrine falcons breed in much of Canada, Alaska, and the Western United States, as well as coastal regions of the east.
- The peregrine falcon migrates and winters south of Canada.
- American kestrels are rare in the Pacific Northwest rainforest region.
American kestrels are found year-round across much of the Americas in open country. Peregrine falcons occupy a narrower breeding range concentrated in the north and migrate south for winter. However, peregrines can be found along coasts and wetlands during migration and winter.
Population and Conservation
Both American kestrel and peregrine falcon populations suffered declines during the mid-1900s due to habitat loss and the use of DDT. However, their populations have rebounded:
- American kestrel populations declined by an estimated 50% between 1966 and 2015, but have begun to recover.
- Peregrine falcons were endangered by DDT causing eggshell thinning. Following DDT regulation, they recovered and were removed from the endangered species list in 1999.
- There are now estimated to be 1.2 million American kestrels in the Western Hemisphere.
- The peregrine falcon population in North America is estimated at 40,000 birds.
While American kestrels suffered significant declines, their large numbers and ability to thrive near humans aided their recovery. Targeted captive breeding and reintroduction programs helped restore peregrine falcon numbers after DDT exposure but very low population numbers.
Conclusion
The American kestrel is often mistaken for the larger peregrine falcon due to some similarities in coloration and hunting behaviors. However, the kestrel is distinctly smaller with different plumage patterning, including colorful rusty upperparts, blue-gray wings on the males, and black teardrop facial markings. American kestrels and peregrine falcons also differ in preferred habitats, hunting strategies, prey, geographic ranges, and conservation status. However, both are impressive birds of prey that fill important ecological roles as predators.