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Field Guide to Birds of North America
Species Overview
Identification
Behavior
Portrait
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Order
FALCONIFORMES
Family
Caracaras and Falcons (Falconidae)
Code 4
AMKE
Code 6
FALSPA
ITIS
HEAD
Bill Shape:
Hooked
Eye Color:
Dark brown
Head pattern:
Capped, Unique pattern, Malar or malar stripe
Crown Color:
Blue-gray with red-brown spot.
Forehead Color:
White and blue-gray.
Nape Color:
Red-brown with black stripe.
Throat Color:
White
Cere color:
Yellow
SPONSORED ADVERTISEMENTS
BODY
Length Range:
23-30 cm (9-12 in)
Weight:
111 g (3.9 oz)
Size:
Medium (9 - 16 in)
Color Primary:
Gray, Rufous or Rust
Underparts:
Orange with brown spots.
Upperparts:
Red-brown back, blue-gray wings with white spotting.
Back Pattern:
Barred or banded
Belly Pattern:
Spotted or speckled
Breast Pattern:
Solid
FLIGHT
Flight Pattern:
Soars on thermals., Several rapid wing beats followed by a glide., Often hovers on rapidly beating wings.
Wingspan Range:
51-64 cm (20-25 in)
Wing Shape:
Pointed-Wings, Long-Wings
Tail shape:
Fan-shaped Tail
Tail Pattern:
Barred
Upper Tail:
Red-brown with black bands.
Under Tail:
Pale yellow-brown to red-brown with black bars.
Leg Color:
Yellow
.
Parts of a Standing bird
X
Head Feathers and Markings
X
Parts of a Flying bird
X