The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a bird of the falcon family, Falconidae, in the order Falconiformes.
Quick answer
The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest falcon in North America, weighing only 80–165 g. Males have rusty backs and blue-grey wings, females rusty wings, and both have two black 'moustache' stripes on the face. It ranges from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, hovers over fields and catches grasshoppers, mice and small birds. It is Least Concern but declining in many areas.
Top questions about the American Kestrel
American Kestrel facts at a glance
- Weight 120 g
- Length 31 cm
| Scientific name | Falco sparverius |
|---|---|
| Diet | Grasshoppers and other insects, mice, voles, lizards and small birds |
| Habitat | Open country: grassland, farmland, deserts and towns |
| Size | 22–31 cm long; wingspan 51–61 cm |
| Weight | 80–165 g |
| Lifespan | Oldest known wild bird 11 years; 17 in captivity |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2025) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
Where it lives
The american kestrel (Falco sparverius) is native to Throughout the Americas from Alaska and Canada to Tierra del Fuego. — recorded across North America, South America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a american kestrel?
An adult american kestrel measures 31 cm long — about 18% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 120 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of american kestrels called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of American Kestrels is called a hover.
Baby name
A baby American Kestrel is called an eyas.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Identification
American kestrels are colourful little falcons. Males have a rufous back and tail, slate-blue wings and spotted buff underparts; females are rufous with dark barring all over. Both have two vertical black stripes on the white face.
Hovering hunters
Kestrels hunt from wires and posts or by hovering in the wind, then drop onto grasshoppers, beetles, mice and voles. In winter and in cities they take more small birds.
Cavity nesters
Unlike most falcons, American kestrels nest in holes, such as old woodpecker cavities, crevices in buildings and nest boxes. Nest-box programmes are a popular way to help them.
Status
BirdLife International lists the American kestrel as Least Concern (2025), estimating about 9.2 million mature birds, but reports a decreasing trend, with notable declines in parts of North America. Animal Diversity Web notes that the oldest recorded wild bird was 11 years old.
Explore the American Kestrel
Close relatives
- Common Kestrel Same genus
- Gyrfalcon Same genus
- Merlin Same genus
- Peregrine Falcon Same genus
Did you know? American Kestrel facts
- American kestrels readily use nest boxes.
- Males and females have different plumage, unusual among raptors.
Conservation status of the American Kestrel
The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2025. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the American Kestrel
What is the smallest falcon in North America?
The American kestrel, which weighs 80–165 g.
Is the American kestrel the same as the common kestrel?
No. They are separate species. The common kestrel lives in Europe, Africa and Asia and is larger.
Where do American kestrels live?
Throughout the Americas, from Alaska and Canada to Tierra del Fuego.
Why are American kestrels declining?
The causes are still being studied; habitat change, pesticides and fewer nest sites are among the suspected factors.
What is a group of american kestrels called?
A group of American Kestrels is called a hover.
What is a baby american kestrel called?
A baby American Kestrel is called an eyas.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the American Kestrel:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Falco sparverius, most recently assessed in 2025.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Falco sparverius. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Falco sparverius. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for American Kestrel. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: American Kestrel Falco sparverius. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.
IUCN Red List category Least Concern (assessed 2025), population estimate and trend.
- Animal Diversity Web: Falco sparverius. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Size, lifespan and behaviour.
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
Average body mass.
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.
English and scientific name, classification and range.
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