American Kestral is a photograph by Jeff Swan which was uploaded on December 17th, 2015.
American Kestral
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American kestrel
AmericanKestrel02.jpg
Male
Female American Kestrel.jpg
Female
Conservation... more
by Jeff Swan
Title
American Kestral
Artist
Jeff Swan
Medium
Photograph - Phoography
Description
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American kestrel
AmericanKestrel02.jpg
Male
Female American Kestrel.jpg
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Species: F. sparverius
Binomial name
Falco sparverius
Linnaeus, 1758
Falco sparverius range map.svg
American kestrel range
Year Round
Summer (breeding)
Winter (nonbreeding)
Male upperparts pattern
Adult female in Winnipeg, Canada
The American kestrel (Falco sparverius), sometimes colloquially known as the sparrow hawk, is a small falcon, and the only kestrel found in the Americas. It is the most common falcon in North America, and is found in a wide variety of habitats. At 19�21 cm (7�8 in) long, it is also the smallest falcon in North America. It exhibits sexual dimorphism in size and plumage, although both sexes have a rufous back with noticeable barring. Juveniles are similar in plumage to adults.
The American kestrel hunts by hovering in the air with rapid wing beats or perching and scanning the ground for prey. Its diet typically consists of grasshoppers, lizards, mice, and small birds (e.g. sparrows). It nests in cavities in trees, cliffs, buildings, and other structures. The female lays three to seven eggs, which both sexes help to incubate. It is a common bird to be used in falconry, especially by beginners. Though not as aggressive a hunter as many other larger falcons, proper training and weight control by the falconer allows many kestrels to become effective hunters of birds in the size range of sparrows and starlings, with occasional success against birds up to approximately twice their own weight.[2]
Its breeding range extends from central and western Alaska across northern Canada to Nova Scotia, and south throughout North America, into central Mexico and the Caribbean. It is a local breeder in Central America and is widely distributed throughout South America. Most birds breeding in Canada and the northern United States migrate south in the winter. It is an occasional vagrant to western Europe.
Uploaded
December 17th, 2015
More from Jeff Swan
Comments (13)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 Views on One Image Group's Special Features Nominations For Promotion #26 . Please help your fellow artists by visiting and passing on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views on One Image Group....L/F/Tw
Diana Mary Sharpton
Nominating this fabulous American Kestral capture for special feature on the 1000 view group… like/fav
Jan Mulherin
Congratulations!! This stunning image has been selected to be featured for the week in the “Art for Ever with You” Group Home Page. You are welcome to add a preview of this featured image to the group’s discussion post titled “2019 February: Stunning Group Featured Images and Thank-you’s” for a permanent display within the group, to share this achievement with others. Also feel free to post your feature on our group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/296998814248643/ . If the activity is allowed, your image will also be posted to Twitter. Thank you for your participation in the group! ~Jan (February 10, 2019)
Elizabeth Tillar
Jeff, what a wonderful capture! I love the composition and the colors; so very beautiful! l/f/g+