American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Identification & Behavior: ~28.5 cm (11.2 in). The male American Kestrel has rufous back, gray bluish wings, and pale to buff underpart with a varying amount of spots. The female has rufous back and wings with dusky barring. The underparts are buff with a varying amount of dusky and brown streaking. Both sexes have gray top of the head and blackish mustache and streaks on the sides of the head. The Juvenile resembles the plumage of a female. It forages in open areas where may be seen hovering for preys. Structurally resembles the much larger Aplomado Falcon. Also, see Merlin.

Status: The American Kestrel is widespread and common to uncommon on western lowlands and slope of the Andes, as well as the high Andes. It is known to range to elevations up to 4500 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Cernícalo Americano.

Sub-species: American Kestrel (Falco sparverius peruvianus), Cory 1915. SE Peru and Chile.
(F. s. cinnamominus), Swainson 1838. Subtropical SW Ecuador, W Peru and N Chile.

Meaning of Name: Falco: Gr. phalkön= falcon. sparverius: L. spaverius= small hawk; small falcon.

See more of the Family Falconidae