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

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Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

OTHER NAMES: Kestrel, Windhover

Latin Etymology: Falco ("falcon") tinnunculus ("skrill sounding")

Adult female Common Kestrel (subspecies F. t. tinnunculus) at Tintagel, Cornwall - April 2015

Featured Subspecies: Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus
Weight: 140-200g  /  Length: 25-35cm  /  Wingspan: 60-65cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Probably our most recognisable raptor, at least in as far as people seeing them on a day to day basis goes, they are also by a long way the most easily seen of our four regular falcons. That being said they are in decline, despite making a success of motorway verges and cities, and the reasons for this aren't necessarily clear. Having said that they are still easier to spot than most raptors, and coastal heath-land seems to hold plenty, as do the aforementioned sides of motorways, although, the heaths are perhaps a better habitat to photograph them in.

Related Species:
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Subspecies: F. t. tinnunculus, F. t. rupicolaeformis, F. t. interstinctus, F. t. objurgatus, F. t. archeri, F. t. rufescens, F. t. canariensis, F. t. dacotiae, F. t. neglectus, F. t. alexandri 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common breeding resident (46,000 pairs))

 - Seen in many locations including Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Elmley Marshes, Oare Marshes and Geddington.

SPAIN - Spanish - Cernícalo vulgar ("Ordinary Kestrel")

Scarce and Local Resident

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Several seen around central Seville 
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Seen in the vicinity of Madrid.
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen in the vicinity of Madrid.

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

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