American Kestrel: Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder for October 3

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Where to find it: American Kestrels are now migrating south through Connecticut and can be seen in many of the raptor migration hotspots.

What it looks like: The American Kestrel is our smallest falcon. Blue Jay-sized, kestrels are typical falcons with long, sharply pointed wings, and a fast, but light and buoyant flight pattern. Kestrels are the only small hawk with a rufous back and tail. Both sexes have a black and white mustache face pattern. The males have blue-grey wings, the female’s wings are rufous.

How to find it: American Kestrel is a continent-wide raptor that can often be seen hovering over an open meadow or perched on wires in open country. Although kestrels sometimes prey on sparrows, they often hunt small mammals and insects such as dragonflies.   

Raptor migration hotspots include Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven and the Greenwich Audubon Quaker Ridge lookout. In fact, any open meadow areas may attract these migrants so it is worth checking agricultural areas and marshes as well.

Conservation status: American Kestrels are in a long-term decline and are currently listed as Threatened in Connecticut.

This week’s Connecticut Audubon Society Bird Finder was written by Milan Bull, senior director of science and conservation, and edited by Tom Andersen.

Photos by Dick Daniels (male perched and female flying), CarolinaBirds.org