‘Killy, killy, killy’ are the calls of the American kestrel
We had a beautiful visitor at the shop March 23. The New Mexico Wildlife Center brought in a spectacular American kestrel.
Amelia was admitted to the wildlife hospital in the summer of 2020 as a one-month-old fledgling and had been raised illegally by members of the public. As a result, she had been imprinted on humans and would never be able to survive in the wild. She was also showing signs of delayed physical development due to malnutrition from an improper diet. She was quickly put on a natural diet of mice, chicks and insects to improve her health. Her comfort level with humans makes her an excellent ambassador, and we were thrilled to meet her.
Males have blue-gray feathers on their wings and head, rusty red tail feathers with a black tip, and black spots on their cream-colored breast. Females have brown and black barred feathers on their wings, only a bit of blue-gray on their head, brown striped tail feathers and brown vertical streak markings on their breast. They have two black sideburns on each side of their face.
Their voice is a shrill screaming killy, killy, killy.
American kestrels are the smallest falcon species in North America, weighing only a quarter of a pound when fully grown and about the size of a mourning dove. Its breeding range extends from central Alaska across northern Canada to Nova Scotia, and south throughout North America and to the southernmost tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego. They are found primarily in open spaces like pastures and parks, as well as in some urban areas.
They are prolific hunters of insects such as grasshoppers and crickets, as well as small vertebrates like mice, vols and songbirds. They usually hunt in energy-conserving fashion by perching and scanning the ground for prey. They pick their attacks with care, as to position and odds of success. When perches are not available, Kestrels hunt from the air, hovering with rapid wing beats, as they hone in on their prey. They have mastered hovering and are one of the species that can hover the longest.
People who see American kestrels in the wild might notice interesting behaviors such as head bobbing and tail flicking. Head bobbing helps the Kestrel get a better view of its prey, helps to stabilize its vision and is also part of its communication with other kestrels. Tail flicking (also referred to as tail pumping or tail bobbing) seems to be a way kestrels maintain their balance on a perch. It is also a sign that the kestrel is alert and hunting for prey.
American kestrels are cavity nesters and adapt well to human-made nest boxes. Pair bonds are strong, often permanent. Males perform elaborate climbing and diving displays to attract a mate. Previous nesting sites are used year after year. Eggs are usually laid in April and May with a clutch size of four to five eggs. The tiny nestlings are ravenous, eating twice as much food per day as an adult. Fledglings leave the nest at about a month. When young kestrels first leave the nest, they hunt with their parents. This gives the young falcons a better opportunity to become more skilled at hunting. This is important, since a large number of young kestrels die of starvation, with only 30% surviving into adulthood.
What can we do to help American kestrels in the wild?
N Install bird-safe films and decals on windows to prevent collisions.
N Keep roadsides clear of trash and food to discourage prey animals from congregating near traffic, which in turn attracts raptors and other predators.
N Put up kestrel nest boxes on your property if you have suitable habitat. Clean out the nest box in the fall after babies have fledged.
N Plant native plants that will attract native insects. Do not use insecticides.
N Do not use anticoagulant rodenticides. Kestrels and other predators often suffer secondary poisoning when they eat poisoned prey.
If you find an injured, sick or orphaned kestrel (or any other wild animal), contact New Mexico Wildlife Center for assistance. Do not attempt to rehabilitate or raise the animal yourself.
A special thanks to Laura Siegel, communication specialist at the New Mexico Wildlife Center, who provided information for this article, as well as the New Mexico Wildlife Center for the great work it does in rehabilitating wildlife. Visit the Wildlife Center in Española to learn more. You will be impressed!
Ken Bunkowski and his son, Matt, are co-owners of Wild Birds Unlimited shops in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and look forward to sharing the joy that birds bring into our lives.