1101 Casey Road |
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American Kestrels -- Tiny Predators
To watch the kestrel box LIVE click here . The American kestrel is the smallest member of the falcon family, about the size of a blue jay. Its scientific name, Falco sparverius, translates to "falcon of the sparrows". Some know it by the name "sparrow hawk". The majority of the kestrel's diet consist of insects and small mammals and occaisionally small birds. Kestrels lay 3-5 eggs per season in mid-late April. Unlike bald eagles which are sequential nesters, kestrel do not begin incubating until all of the eggs have been laid so all of the eggs hatch on the same day. The chicks hatch out in 29-31 days covered by white down. Primarily it is the female that feeds the young by tearing the prey into small bits. The male will hunt and stash food nearby or bring it to the nest for his mate. After 30-31 days the young leave the nest (fledge). In the early and mid-1900's, American kestrel populations declined in many parts of the North America because of the loss of nesting habitat (tree cavities) similar to the plight of wood ducks and blue birds which are also cavity nesters. To supplement natural nest sites, conservationist designed artificial nest boxes which are mounted on tall poles to simulate a tree. The advantage of an artificial nest box is that it is less prone to predation and can be maintained and monitored by people. Beginning in 2007, Iroquois NWR had a small camera installed to view inside a nest box located behind the refuge headquarters. Throughout the spring and summer visitors are able to watch the activity in the nest via a TV monitor in the Visitor Contact Station as well as on the website. Below are some pictures that were captured by the camera.
All images above by USFWS unless otherwise noted. |
Last updated:
September 21, 2009
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