Falco sparverius
Open country, wires, and nest boxes across most of the continent. Small raptor track, rarely clear.
What does a american kestrel look like?
A robin-sized falcon. Rusty back, two dark stripes on a white face.
What do american kestrel tracks look like?
Too small and too rarely on soft ground to rely on. The bird on a wire is the identification.
- Small raptor track, rarely clear
- Hovers over a field if seen
- Rusty back, two black face stripes
- Male has blue-gray wings
- Pellets under a wire or a box
What does american kestrel poop look like?
Whitewash and small pellets under a hunting perch. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Open country, wires, and nest boxes across most of the continent. Typical places: field, yard. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Cooper’s hawk identification
- Mourning dove identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What does a kestrel look like?
A small falcon with a rusty back and two black stripes on the face, often on a wire.
How to tell a american kestrel from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Cooper’s hawk. Rarely a clear trail. A long-tailed, short-winged hawk.
- Mourning dove. A small ground-walking print. Slim tan dove, small head, long pointed tail.
American kestrel field marks
- Small raptor track, rarely clear
- Hovers over a field if seen
- Rusty back, two black face stripes
- Male has blue-gray wings
Where the sign shows up
Open country, wires, and nest boxes across most of the continent. Typical places: field, yard. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
Too small and too rarely on soft ground to rely on. The bird on a wire is the identification. Whitewash and small pellets under a hunting perch.
Common questions
What does a kestrel look like?
A small falcon with a rusty back and two black stripes on the face, often on a wire.