Countdown To Spring - Day Seven

By Kimberly J. Epp

As our songbirds arrive home, so do several of our migratory predatory birds. The American Kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. For its size, it is also one of the fiercest. They are often called "sparrowhawks" as they prey on sparrows, sometimes even pigeons and squirrels. They often seek out bird feeders, which are like buffets to them.

While these birds are permanent residents in southerly areas, here in Saskatchewan these birds migrate to Central America or the United States.

Male kestrel (photo by Boyd Coburn).

American Kestrels perform courtship displays where the female flies slowly and stiffly as the male repeatedly flies high, makes courtship calls, and then swiftly dives. Kestrels are typically monogamous, and will remain together for many years.

Kestrels do not build their own nests. They nest in tree cavities, old magpie nests or sometimes in nesting boxes. The female lays four to six white/pale brown, and usually spotted eggs in late April or May. Incubation is by both parents, usually 28 to 31 days. A month or so later, the young fledge, but both parents continue to feed them for 12 days after fledging.