American Kestrel

The American Kestrel is a small falcon that is commonly found in Jamaica. It is about the size of a mourning dove, with a wingspan of about two feet. The male American Kestrel has a distinctive blue-gray head, a rusty-red back and tail, and black markings on its wings. The female is similar, but with more brown on the back and tail. They are often seen perched on wires or fence posts, or hovering over open fields or grasslands, where they hunt for insects, small mammals, and birds. They are known for their striking aerial acrobatics and their ability to remain motionless in mid-air, known as "kiting". The American Kestrel is also sometimes called the "Sparrow Hawk" due to its small size and its habit of preying on small birds.