Creature Feature: American Kestrel

Tiny yet Mighty

Bigger than a robin but smaller than a crow, American kestrels are among Missouri’s smallest birds of prey.

Hovering Overhead

Kestrels often flap furiously to hover in place so they can zero in on prey down below.

Super Sight

Rodents mark their trails with urine. To humans, the pee is invisible. But kestrels can see ultraviolet light, so the urine glows like a neon sign pointing toward dinner.

Cavity Critter

Kestrels nest in cavities but can’t hammer out their own holes. Instead, they use abandoned woodpecker nests, hollow trees, and bird boxes.

Predator and Prey

Kestrels eat insects, rodents, and small songbirds. Due to their small size, larger raptors like hawks and owls prey on kestrels.