American Kestrel

by Trever Smith
American Kestrel
American Kestrel
The American Kestrel is found in the light blue during non-breeding season. The dark blue shows the Kestrel year round and the light red area shows the Kestrel in breeding season only.
The American Kestrel will brood 1 -2 times a year with a clutch size of 4-5 eggs. The eggs can be white, yellowish, or a light reddish brown with violet, grey, or brown spots.
The incubation period is 26-32 days and the nestling period is 28-31 days.
The diet of the Kestrel is mostly insects and small rodents and birds. The American Kestrels will occasionally eat small snakes, lizards, and frogs. 

FEED AND FEEDERS

It is not necessary to put out feed for these birds since they are not interested in the common foods for songbirds.  Nor is it necessary to put out feeders for these birds, since they are birds of prey a prefer to hunt and kill their food.

BIRDHOUSES

Nest boxes are placed for these birds for people who admire these birds or areas where they need this bird to help with rodent control.  The American Kestrel will readily use man made birdhouse.

The dimensions of a American Kestrel birdhouse should roughly have an interior floor dimension of 9" x 9" to 12" x 12"  The walls should be between 14" to 20" high.  The entry hole should be 3" in diameter placed 9"-12" above the floor. The entry hole can face anywhere from NE to SW with the birdhouse place between 10' and 30' high.   If you plan to place more than one birdhouse for the American Kestrel, space your birdhouses 0.5 miles apart to avoid territorial denomination.

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