American kestrel

American kestrel (Falco sparverius) Photo © Illinois Department of Natural Resources

FEATURES
The American kestrel, also known as the sparrow hawk, is about nine to 12 inches in length (tail tip to bill tip in preserved specimen). This small hawk has rust-red back and tail feathers. The male has blue-gray wing feathers, while the female’s wing feathers are rust-red. Both sexes have a black-and-white facial pattern with a black mark extending down from each eye. When flying, the pointed wings and long, thin tail of this bird are easy to see.

BEHAVIORS
The American kestrel is a common, permanent resident statewide in Illinois. It is often seen perching on wires and in tree tops, particularly along roads. This bird is commonly found in urban as well as rural areas. In summer, it frequents ungrazed grasslands and fallow fields. Winter habitats include cultivated fields, hayfields, pastures and roadsides. Its call is a series of “klee” or “killy” notes. The kestrel’s nest is placed in a tree cavity or other structure with a cavity in it, including nest boxes, old woodpecker holes and in eaves of buildings. Little or no material is added to the nest cavity. The breeding season occurs in Illinois from April through June. The female produces from three to five, tan eggs with dark markings. Eggs are laid on alternate days. The female does most of the incubating over the 29- to 31-day incubation period. The kestrel hovers when hunting for its insect, bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian prey items.

​Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae