The American kestrel

By Aaron Horrell

North America is home to several kinds of falcons. The American kestrel is the smallest of the falcons. It is about the size of a mourning dove.

This little bird likes wide open spaces and is most often seen along a roadside on a high line wire stretched beside a farm field. Most often you will see just one kestrel sitting alone watching the ground for prey such as grasshoppers or mice. My photo here is testament to the kestrel's love of open spaces.

The kestrel does not hollow out a nesting site in a tree. Instead it will often drive away a woodpecker from its hole and claim the site as its own.

The small American kestrel is believed to be the most widespread and abundant falcon in the Americas. It is a year round resident in Southeast Missouri.