Courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Submitted photoAmerican kestrel

American kestrel

Scientific name: Falco sparverius

Characteristics: The smallest of the North American falcons, the kestrel has two facial stripes, dark patches on the back of its neck, a reddish back and pointed wings. Males differ from females in that they have bluish-gray wings, a rufous crown patch, a pale buffy underside with some dark spotting and a reddish tail with a dark band near the tip. Adult females have reddish wings with dark barring, pale underside with reddish streaking and a reddish tail with black bands. Average body length is 7½ to 8 inches, with a 20- to 24-inch wingspan.

Breeding: Uses a natural cavity in a tree or cliff, abandoned woodpecker hole, old magpie nest or nest box. Females lay up to four to six brown-spotted eggs that hatch in about a month. The young fledge around 30 days old.

Range and habitat: Widespread across much of North America, although some areas have noted population declines. Inhabits open country, farmland, orchards, canyons, alpine areas and forest edges.

Food: Hunts from an elevated perch or while hovering. Eats a variety of large insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets and beetles, and also preys on small mammals, birds and reptiles or amphibians.

Bird facts: Formerly known as the sparrow hawk (sparverius means “pertaining to sparrows”) in reference to the sometime prey of this falcon. Though these birds are often seen perched on telephone wires or fence posts, they may also be observed hovering over the ground in search of prey. The kestrel’s shrill call sounds like a rapid “killy, killy, killy.” A group of kestrels is known as a “flight.” East Cascades Audubon Society supports a nest box project for these birds. For more information visit www.ecaudubon.org.

Current viewing: Agricultural fields and open areas throughout Central Oregon.

— Damian Fagan is a birder, volunteer for the East Cascades Audubon Society and COCC Community Learning instructor. He can be reached at damian.fagan@hotmail.com.

Sources: Oregon Department of Wildlife Resources, “Birds of Oregon” by Burrows and Gilligan, and “The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds” by John Terres