American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Order

FALCONIFORMES

Family

Caracaras and Falcons (Falconidae)

Code 4

AMKE

Code 6

FALSPA

ITIS

HEAD

American Kestrel Head Illustration
  • 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

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BODY

American Kestrel Body Illustration
  • 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

American Kestrel Flight Illustration
  • 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
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Parts of a Standing bird X
Head Feathers and Markings X
Parts of a Flying bird X