Unique Facts about the Kestrel, a Small Predator with Beautiful Colors

Unique Facts about Kestrels, Small Predators with Beautiful Colors

Kestrel America is a small predatory bird that is often overlooked. This bird is also called the sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius) and is widely distributed throughout North America and most of South America from Alaska to Argentina. The American kestrel is an easily recognizable eagle due to its colorful feathers and small size. But how big is the kestrel? Let's take a closer look at its size and other interesting facts about this small predator!

<b>1. Laki-laki Terlihat Berbeda dengan Perempuan</b>

1. Men Look Different from Women

Although both genders are colorful, males have more distinctive colors. Male hawks have reddish-orange backs and tails with black stripes.

Their wings are gray with black primary feathers and secondary wings with white spots. In contrast, females do not have gray color, but mostly reddish-brown with thick dark lines on their tail and back.

2. His name means "Falkon Burung Pipit"

During the 1800s and early 1900s, alap-alap was commonly referred to as a pipit bird. However, this common name usually refers to birds in the Accipiter genus, while alap-alap belongs to the Falco genus. They are most closely related to peregrine falcons, not other types of pipit birds.

Scientifically, the name alap-alap doesn't help much to explain this confusion. Falco sparverius is translated as "sparrow hawk." This name is given to the bird because it sometimes preys on small songbirds.

3. The Kestrel Stores Its Food.

If the albatross can't finish its food, sometimes they will save the leftovers. This bird is clever at hiding the excess food in tree cavities, fence posts, bushes, or other covered places to be used later if they need a snack.

<b>4. Mereka Tidak Berada di Puncak Rantai Makanan</b>

4. They are not at the top of the food chain.

Although eagles are predators, their small size makes them descend from the top of the food chain. Just like eagles catch smaller birds to eat, larger birds would gladly prey on them.

Because alap-alap is diurnal and most active during the day, they are usually preyed upon by other diurnal predators, although owls are sometimes known to prey on them. Red-tailed hawks, Cooper's hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, northern goshawks, and even prohibited owls are common predators. Kestrels are also at risk of being preyed upon by crows and American snakes.

5. Decreasing Population

Although the bald eagle is the most common eagle in the western hemisphere, its population continues to decline. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, bird populations have declined at a rate of 1.41% per year between 1966 and 2019. This has resulted in a total population decline of approximately 53% over the past 60 years.

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