Falco sparverius sparverius

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : American kestrel
French : Crécerelle d’Amérique

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Falconiformes
Family : Falconidae
Notes : 16 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 31 cm in length for a weight of 165 g. Plumage mostly rufous except from whitish breast covered with black spots. Head shows two vertical black bands on each sides of eyes. Male has grey wings. Orange-yellow cere.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in America, from Alaska and most of Canada and USA to Central America, south to Southern Argentina. Absent from Amazonia. This subspecies is found in most of north America except Florida. Lives in forests, woodlands, grasslands, agricultural lands, cities, up to 4300 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has a huge range and remains common, often expanding its range. Some populations, like in Florida, are endangered.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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