American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

OTHER NAMES: Grasshopper Hawk, Killy Hawk
Latin Etymology:  Falco (falcon) sparverius ("sparrowhawk")

Adult male American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) at Writing-n-Stone Pronvincial Park, Alberta - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Falco sparverius sparverius
Weight: 80-165g  /  Length: 22-31cm  /  Wingspan: 51-61cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small falcon with a vast range, spread from Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego at the tip of South America. It isn't actually that close to the other species named Kestrels and is more closely related to species such as the prairie falcon and peregrine.  It is fairly popular in American falconry where it is considered a beginner bird.

Related Species:
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
SUBSPECIES: F. s. sparverius, F. s. paulus, F. s. peninsularis, F. s. tropicalis, F. s. nicaraguensis, F. s.sparveroides, F. s. domincensis, F. s. caribaearum, F. s. bevipennis, F. s. isabellinus, F. s. ochraceus, F. s. caucae, F. s. aequatorialis, F. s. peruvianus, F. s. fernandensis, F. s. cinnamominius, F. s. cearae

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Summer breeding species though much of the country
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Summer visiting breeding species in Alaska and northern edge of the US, resident throughout the rest
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen periodically in the lower 48 states along the roadside

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto