Of the five falcons that inhabit North America, the American kestrel is the most common and the most widespread. This small raptor, formerly known as the sparrow hawk, favors open country where it often perches on powerlines, surveying the ground for insects, lizards, mice and songbirds. At other times, it hovers above the ground before striking.
Found throughout the lower 48 and southern Canada, the kestrel, about the size of a jay, is easily recognized by its distinctive facial markings and the rust color of its back and tail feathers. Though small, this swift predator is hardy, staying through the winter in most of its range; those that inhabit southern Canada and the northern U.S. do move southward for the colder months and, as a result, kestrels are most common in the southern U.S. during the winter. Drive any open-country road from October through April and you will see a kestrel every mile or so, perched on a powerline or small tree; they are also fairly common in suburbs and urban parks during this season.
