The American Kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. They are also considered one of the most colorful birds in the raptor family. The male has a slate-blue head and wings which contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail. The female also has the same reddish color on her wings, back, and tail. Their size range is a length of 4.7-10.6 " and a wingspan of 20-24''. The male is slightly smaller than the female at 2.8-3.7 oz . The female, by comparison, weighs between 3.5-4.2 oz .

The American Kestrel has a diet that consists mostly of large insects (grasshoppers are its favorite), small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They hunt mostly by watching from a high perch then swooping down to capture prey. It's of interest to note that unlike other raptors that use their claws to kill prey, Kestrels have teeth-like structures on either sides of their bill which are strong enough to snap the spinal cords of reptiles, rodents, and birds. Their sharp talons are only used to grab hold of their prey.

The American Kestrel is also a monogamous bird. Courtship behaviors include courtship feeding and flight displays.The territorial male will perform an elaborate dive display to advertise their territory and attract the female. Each year, during the mating season, the pair of Kestrels will return to the same place for nesting. They will breed between early spring and late summer and lay between 4-6 eggs. Incubation is by both parents, usually 26-32 days. The female will remain with the young most of the time while her mate brings her food. At approximately 28-31 days after hatching the young will take flight. Parents will continue to feed the young up to 12 days after they fledge.

Other interesting facts:

American Kestrels can reach dive speeds up to 39 mph.

Their habits of bobbing heads and pumping their tails has yet to be fully understood. It's thought that they may be used pre-flight or pre-attack.

They will hide surplus kills in grass clumps, tree roots, bushes, tree limbs, and tree cavities. This not only protects it from thieves but also leaves a supply of food for leaner times.

American Kestrels are one of the most popular birds for apprentice falconers to start with due to their diminutive size.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Kestrel Camera is the most entertaining bird cam to watch of all other bird cams. (Okay, personal opinion not fact) :)