American Kestrel Banding

Mohonk Preserve, Research Associate, Zach Smith
retrieving the chicks from the Kestrel Box.

I am super proud to be part of two departments with the Preserve. Yes, it is really challenging at times and it's hard to balance my time and make sure I am completing all of my responsibilities, but...there are so many benefits. Benefits include using the Mohonk Mountain House, the Mountain House Spa and Lake, getting full access to hike, bike, and climb all carriage roads and cliffs, meeting some really cool people - Jimmy Chin, Mikey Schaeffer, Sasha DiGuilian, etc! But one really exciting thing is assisting our Research Associates! Research Associates submit proposals requesting to lead research projects on the Preserve that align with our mission. Below are some photos of assisting Zach Smith with Kestrel Bird Banding. He waits until the chicks are 3-4 weeks old, takes them from their Kestrel Box, sexes them, weighs them, measures the tarsus, and then finally bands them. Enjoy the balls of fluff! Not going to lie, I did squee with joy. And totally said, "I can't take it, they're so fluffy!"

In the Shawangunks Grassland Kestrel Box, Zach retrieved 6 chicks (4 females and 2 males)

American Kestrel

Weighing Each Chick - They Were Not Happy

Looks Like:  A colorful bird of prey with long, sickle-shaped wings and long tail. The Kestrel has markings on its head called “eyespots”. The two dark marks on the back of its head to fool its prey and other animals into thinking that the Kestrel can still see them even with its back turned. Male American Kestrels have slate-blue wings, white underparts, and rufous backs and tails with black tips, while female American Kestrels have cream-colored underparts and are rufous in coloration on their wings, backs, and tails.

Lives In:  These tiny falcons prefer open grasslands, meadows, and deserts. As you drive on roads, you can commonly find American Kestrels perched on telephone wires in search for prey.

Wahhhh! They were really not happy!

Niche:  The American Kestrel eats a variety of prey – including many insects (grasshoppers, beetles, cicadas, and spiders) to small snakes, lizards, and frogs, to small rodents and other birds (voles, mice, and red squirrels). Kestrels also become prey for larger birds such as Red-tailed Hawks, Barn Owls, and American Crows.

Threats:  Breeding habitat has declined for Kestrels due to thinning and clearing of land and standing dead trees. In addition to breeding habitat declination, the American Kestrel population is declining due to the loss hunting habitat. “Clean” farming practices such as the removal of unwanted hedges, trees, bushes, etc. reduce shelter for prey sources.

Measuring the tarsus

Frequency:  Even though this raptor is a common widespread falcon throughout our country, the American Kestrel population is declining due to human encroachment into the natural world.

Reproduction:  American Kestrels do not build their own nests. They will nest in pre-existing holes or cavities in trees that were made by other birds or use nest boxes that have been built by humans. Kestrels will use the same territory to nest in year after year. During courtship, the pair will perform aerial displays, a series of sequential dives in the air. The female will create a nest called a “scrape.” A scrape is a small depression in the substrate on the floor of the cavity or nest box. The female can lay up to four to six eggs in a clutch. The eggs will be incubated for about 30 days predominantly by the female while the male hunts and brings in food. When the eggs hatch, they are tiny balls of white down and fluff. After two weeks once hatched, the chicks begin to develop their flight feathers and the symbolic colors of an adult Kestrel. They will begin to fledge 30 days after hatching.

Female (left), Male (right)
Females are pretty rufous on entire wing,
Males have a blue, gray slate color wing

Fun Fact:  The American Kestrel is our most colorful and smallest falcon in North America. Their size is comparable to a Mourning Dove or a Blue Jay.

TheChristyBel

Getting to Hold a Baby Kestrel
My Life was Complete!