American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas

American Kestrel; adult female with red back and red wings.	General Description: American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) are small falcons with a red back and a red tail. Face with two vertical black marks. Wings of female red; male gray. Falcons are recognized from other birds of prey by the long, narrow, pointed wings. Favored Habitat: Open areas with places to perch. Kestrels often hunt by hovering stationary in the air before diving on a prey item. Where to Find: Fairly common, look for them in the desert and other open areas. Fairly common in town too.
American Kestrel; adult male with red back and gray wings.	Comments: American Kestrels mostly eat grasshoppers, beetles, and other large insects, but they also eat small lizards, small snakes, and field mice. During winter, they hunt small birds such as Dark-eyed Juncos and House Finches that are attracted to bird feeders.
	Wings long, narrow, and pointed; tail red. The barring in the wings is atypical.
	Wings pointed; tail red with black terminal band.
	American Kestrel female on a stick.
	American Kestrel female on a utility pole.
	American Kestrel in flight.

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© Jim Boone; Last updated 080206