American Kestrel (formerly Sparrow Hawk)

A beautiful rectrix from a male American Kestrel. These birds are colorful raptors the size of a Mourning Dove, featuring rufous backs and tails with blue-gray wings in males.

Base color is warm rufous-cinnamon. Features a bold subterminal black band near the tip, followed by a bright white terminal tip. The outer web shows white edging.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked throughout most of the vane; plumulaceous (fluffy) at the very base (calamus area).

Smooth and firm pennaceous surface; matte appearance typical of raptor feathers; slightly stiff to maintain tail shape during flight maneuvers.

Rufous center, bold subterminal black band, white terminal tip, and white outer margin; small size unique to Falco sparverius.

Open country, grasslands, agricultural fields, deserts, and parklands. Prefers areas with scattered trees or poles for perching and nesting in cavities.

Widespread across North and South America, from Alaska and Canada to the tip of South America. North American populations are migratory.

Primary consumer of insects (large grasshoppers) and small vertebrates; acts as a natural pest control in agricultural settings.

Merlin (darker, lacks rufous), Sharp-shinned Hawk (larger, different banding), Mourning Dove (lacks the distinct black/white/rufous falcon pattern).

American Kestrels can see ultraviolet light, allowing them to track the urine trails of voles and mice on the ground.

Good to Excellent. The tip shows very minor wear, suggesting it was molted recently or is a fresh feather. No signs of parasites or fault bars.