The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. This small raptor is highly adaptable, able to thrive in both urban and rural environments across much of the continent. Keeping an American kestrel as a pet can be an extremely rewarding experience for a dedicated falconer. However, caring for these birds requires specialized knowledge, facilities, permits, and an enormous time commitment.
Is it legal to keep an American kestrel?
In the United States, owning an American kestrel for falconry is legal with the proper permits. Falconry is regulated at both the federal and state level. At the federal level, a potential falconer must obtain a falconry permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each state also has its own regulations and permitting requirements for practicing falconry. Some key things to know:
- Falconry permits are only issued to individuals with extensive experience and training in raptor handling and care. Permits are not issued to first time or novice falconers.
- All falcons held for falconry must be captive bred. Taking birds from the wild for falconry is illegal.
- There are different classes of falconry permits based on experience level. Each class has limits on the number and species of birds you can own.
- Falconry has strict facilities requirements, including housing size, design, and equipment standards.
- Falconers must adhere to hunting regulations and seasons when using birds to hunt wild game.
Obtaining the necessary state and federal falconry permits to keep an American kestrel is a long and demanding process. It requires dedicating hundreds of hours to working with experienced falconers, building proper facilities, and demonstrating extensive knowledge.
Housing Requirements
Providing the proper housing is one of the most important aspects of responsible American kestrel care. Kestrels are active, high-energy birds that need enough space to fly and exercise. Some key housing considerations include:
- Indoor enclosures (called mews) must be large enough to allow flying between perches. Recommended minimum dimensions are 8 feet long by 6 feet wide by 6 feet tall.
- Outdoor facilities (weathering areas) must also provide adequate space for flight and should incorporate natural perches and shade.
- Enrichment like perches, ropes, bells, and nest boxes should be included to stimulate natural behaviors.
- Falcons require ample ventilation and protection from excessive light, noise, pests, and predators.
- All enclosures must be inspected and meet standards before obtaining a falconry permit.
In addition to proper housing, equipment like jesses, leashes, perch scales, bath containers, and more are required. All facilities and equipment must be specifically designed with the health, safety, and behavioral needs of raptors in mind.
Diet
In the wild, American kestrels feed mostly on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. They are carnivores with high protein requirements. As pets, kestrels should be fed:
- High quality whole prey like mice, chicks, or quail.
- Commercial bird of prey diets can supplement but should not completely replace whole prey.
- Vitamin and calcium supplements added to the diet 2-3 times per week.
- Clean, fresh water for drinking and bathing should always be available.
Monitoring weight, appetite, and droppings helps ensure kestrels are getting adequate nutrition. The amount, types, and frequency of food should be tailored to each bird based on factors like age, activity level, and weight management. Most pet kestrels eat 1-2 prey items or the equivalent daily.
Handling and Training
American kestrels are high-strung birds not well-suited for excessive human handling. However, falconers must be able to safely handle and manage their birds. This requires specialized training in:
- Using thick falconry gloves and proper holding techniques to avoid injury when handling.
- Fitting jesses, leashes, temporary hoods, and other falconry equipment appropriately.
- Regular weighing and health assessments to monitor the bird’s condition.
- Bathing, nail trimming, and other grooming needs.
- Getting the bird accustomed to human presence and activities through manning and positive reinforcement.
In addition to handling, most falconers train their birds to return on command. This process called “hacking back” teaches the bird to fly between the fist and perches. Ample free flight time for exercise and reinforcement is essential. Not all kestrels can be trained for unrestricted free flight.
Enrichment
Providing proper mental stimulation is vital for any captive raptor’s well-being. American kestrels are intelligent, active birds that thrive with enrichment. Recommended enrichment practices include:
- Adding a variety of natural perches, ropes, swinging perches, turf, branches, and more.
- Rotating and diversifying perches and toys to prevent habituation.
- Providing bathing opportunities in bath pans several times weekly.
- Allowing supervised time in outdoor aviaries to experience natural sights, sounds, and scents.
- Offering puzzle feeders, hidden treats, whole prey, and new foods to stimulate natural foraging behaviors.
- Positive reinforcement training through target training, clicker training, and falconry skills.
Adequate social interaction with humans through manning and training helps prevent issues like screaming or self-mutilation. Ensuring variety and challenge in the kestrel’s daily routine is key to providing good welfare.
Common Health Issues
When cared for properly, American kestrels generally are fairly hardy, healthy birds. However, they can be susceptible to certain infectious diseases and medical conditions including:
- Aspergillosis – A fungal infection often caused by poor ventilation in enclosures.
- Bumblefoot – Painful blisters and sores on feet and legs from poor perch quality.
- Trichomoniasis – Parasitic infection passed through contaminated food and water.
- Avian malaria – Mosquito-borne parasitic disease.
- Obesity – Common problem from overfeeding and inactivity.
- Feather destructive behavior – Chewing feathers from inadequate enrichment or diet.
Annual exams, preventative care, and prompt treatment of any illness are essential. Warning signs of medical issues include changes in behavior, appetite, droppings, or appearance. A veterinarian experienced in raptor health should examine and treat any concerns.
Lifespan
American kestrels are relatively short-lived raptors compared to many other falcon species. However, individuals cared for in captivity can live significantly longer than their wild counterparts:
- Wild American kestrels typically live 3-6 years with 1 year being the average.
- Captive American kestrels average 8-14 years but may exceed 20 years in some cases.
- The oldest recorded captive kestrel was nearly 25 years old.
- Maintaining excellent nutrition, housing, preventative medicine, and care helps maximize longevity in captive kestrels.
With intensive, specialized care, American kestrels have the potential to live much longer as falconry birds than wild kestrels exposed to predators, disease, and harsh conditions.
Acquisition
Obtaining an American kestrel for falconry must be done legally and ethically. No falconry permit will be granted to individuals who illegally acquire birds. Acceptable options are:
- Purchasing properly bred and reared birds from reputable captive breeders.
- Applying through state falconry permit agencies that occasionally have kestrels needing placement.
- If permitted for your experience level, trapping passaged wild juveniles during legal falconry seasons.
Due diligence is required to ensure any potential bird is healthy, of legal origins, and properly handed off including signed transfer of ownership forms. unlawfully taking birds from the wild or unethical breeders should be strictly avoided.
Costs
Between housing materials, equipment, veterinary care, food, and permits, the costs of properly caring for an American kestrel as a falconry bird quickly add up. Some estimated costs:
- Kestrel purchase price or adoption fee – $100-$500
- Indoor mews materials – $500-$2000 depending on new construction vs retrofit.
- Outdoor weathering area materials – $250-$1000
- Equipment (jesses, leash, gloves, scales, perches, etc) – $200-$500
- Annual food costs – $200-$300
- Routine veterinary care – $100-$300
- Annual permit fees – $100 per state plus $30 federal
In total, expect to budget $2000-5000+ in startup costs and $500-1000 in annual costs for properly housing, feeding, and caring for an American kestrel. securing funding through scholarships, sponsorships, grants, or apprenticeships can help offset these expenses.
Time Commitment
Keeping a pet falcon requires an immense investment of time. Some guidelines:
- Several hours daily interacting with and caring for the bird.
- Regular training sessions to build trust and falconry skills.
- Frequent supervision during free flight time.
- Daily cleaning and sanitizing of enclosures and equipment.
- Sourcing, preparing, and offering appropriate foods.
- Travel time to suitable mousing or hunting grounds.
- Attending vet exams, weighing birds, trimming talons/beaks.
- Record keeping and reporting on activities.
- Building facilities, repairing equipment, and more.
Expect to dedicate 20-40+ hours per week to properly care for a falcon. American kestrels have high activity levels and require intensive, specialized, time-consuming management. Falconry is not just a hobby – it is a full time commitment and lifestyle.
Finding a Sponsor
One of the requirements for obtaining a U.S. falconry permit is identifying a sponsor – an experienced falconer who will mentor and guide you. Locating and connecting with the right sponsor is key. Options include:
- Contacting your state falconry permitting agency for a list of potential sponsors.
- Joining falconry clubs and groups to network with experienced local falconers.
- Researching regional falconry forums and websites for mentorship opportunities.
- Attending field meets, seminars, workshops, and conferences to meet established falconers.
- Reaching out to raptor educational facilities that may have affiliated falconers.
Take time to thoroughly vet potential sponsors. Factors like experience level, teaching skills, training methods, facilities, and overall responsibility should align with your goals. Developing a strong relationship with a supportive, reputable mentor will be invaluable on your falconry journey.
Is Falconry Right for You?
Before pursuing falconry, reflect deeply on your motivations and whether you can truly meet the immense demands of properly caring for a bird of prey:
- Are you committed to spending huge amounts of time and money for at least a decade?
- Do you have access to appropriate training, facilities, equipment, and mentorship?
- Are you willing to provide an optimal diet, enrichment, and veterinary care?
- Can you handle raptor waste, feeding whole prey, muddy equipment, and more?
- Are you ready to prioritize your bird’s specialized needs above your own convenience?
If you can answer “yes” to all of these considerations, then falconry may be a rewarding path for you. But embarking on this journey lightly can lead to suffering for both you and your bird. Put in the work beforehand to be truly ready for this immense responsibility and commitment. An American kestrel’s life depends on it.
Conclusion
Keeping an American kestrel as a falconry bird is an incredibly demanding yet potentially rewarding endeavor. From housing and diet to training and enrichment, these raptors have highly specialized care needs that require extensive education, facilities, time, and dedication to provide. Ensuring you obtain all necessary state and federal falconry permits, build adequate enclosures, learn proper handling techniques, and more before acquiring a bird is imperative. If you have the resources and passion for intensive raptor management, sharing your daily life with one of these charismatic small falcons can be an amazing experience. Just be sure you are truly prepared to be a lifelong advocate for your bird’s welfare before embarking on your falconry journey together.