The American Kestrel:
(Falco sparverius)
The Little Lion
of the Skies
The kestrel is the most common member of the falcon family found in the United States. Among American birds of prey, only the great horned owl is as widely distributed. It is also the smallest member of the falcon family. The peregrine and gyrfalcon are large and faster, but they are also endangered. Efforts to help the peregrine recover are just beginning to succeed. The American-Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is different from its European counterpart, the European-Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).
Falcons have an ancient history and an aura of mystery in regard to their speed and grace in hunting. Falconry has survived for thousands of years and is still practiced today. If the kestrel or any other member of the falcon family has come into your life as a totem, you may want to explore past life connections. Falconry was practiced in China as long ago as 2000 BC. Kings handled eagles, and falconry found great popularity in medieval Europe and Scandinavia. The Vikings often used falcons and birds of prey for hunting.
The American Kestrel is sometimes called the "sparrow hawk," although this is really a misnomer -- the kestrel is not a hawk at all. It should be noted that the Eurasian Sparrohwawk (Accipiter nisus) is a completely different bird all together; which is another reason why I mention the usage of the name "sparrow hawk" being a misnomer for kestrels. Another name used, "tilly-hawk", stems from their shrill-call which sounds like "tilly-tilly-tilly". While most falcons do live on feathered prey, the kestrel will feed primarily on grasshoppers, beetles, mice, and other small rodents. It does occasionally take smaller birds as prey, and some people credit the kestrel with keeping the population of house sparrows down, but it has never been truly verified. It is an excellent hunter, with eyes that can detect the movement of a beetle at a great distance. It usually hunts from a perch. It will move from one vantage point to another, watching and listening.
The Kestrel is a jay-sized bird, 9" to 12" long with a 21" wingspan and a striking appearance. It is recognized by its rusty tail and back, and the double black stripes on its white face. The adult female has brown wings, while the males are pale steel-blue. Once a male and female have paired off in the spring and chosen a nest site, the female remains near the nest and the male brings food to her. When he comes near the nest, he calls her, and she flies to him to receive her food away from the nest. The female lays 4 to 5 whitish eggs with small brown dots, which are incubated for 30 days by only the female, the male bringing her food throughout this period and into the nestling phase. The young fledge in two weeks, and after leaving the nest they perch together in trees, waiting for their parents to bring them food. It is not uncommon for families to be together into the late summer. Kestrels raise one brood per year.
Their long wings, their swift flight, and their narrow tails are easy an easy way to detect all falcons when in flight. The shape of the wings is usually broad at the base and then swept back, tapering to points. The male kestrel usually has a bluish wing and plain, reddish feathers on the tail. The females usually have a barring on their wings and it takes more of a rust or reddish color. Both the male and female have black facial feathers, swept back while in flight. The kestrel is found in both the country and the city. Those in the city often find their food in the mice around garbage areas or around open grassy areas where larger insects can be found. You will often see kestrels sitting upon power or phone lines along the major streets or highways, studying the grassy areas below them. The kestrel will nest and winter in the city, making it a year-round totem/guide. The kestrel prefers open grass areas for hunting, but it always does its hunting from a perch.
A Kestrel as Spiritual Teacher/Totem/Guide
I have spiritually worked with the kestrel/falcon/hawk families since 1989. I took the name Kestrel as my outward Spiritual-Name. This name means as much to me as my birth name does, and I answer to it as naturally. When working in a spiritual mentor situation, even with an animal teacher, you must come to understand their nature by observing them in nature. When hunting, the kestrel will usually plunge down upon its prey from a perch, or hover above it about twenty feet up before the plunge. This is unique among birds of prey, but also among most birds. Few birds can actually hover in their flying. For those with a kestrel as a totem, this is very significant. It allows the movement to be performed with great speed and precision. It gives the kestrel a gracefulness. It implies the ability to stop and use the flight to its fullest advantage. They have much to teach the Spiritual Seeker.
The kestrel teaches control of speed and movement. It teaches patience as well as quick-thinking; survival of Self and Family; observation, and keen-awareness; they teach that size does not constitute strength. Another aspect of being able to fly and soar reminds us to be detached from situations that call for us to see the "bigger picture." Rise above the stress and strife and come to actually see and perceive the magnitude of all things. The kestrel is often a symbol for recognizing opportunities and acting upon them at only the correct moment. It teaches speed and accuracy of action as falcons use their plunge to kill their prey, striking it hard. The kestrel and any falcon can teach us to know when to act, and how to fully commit to our actions, as well as how to use our strengths for the greatest success.
The kestrel is a bird that can stimulate a quick, graceful and agile mind. It will teach you how to use your mental facilities more effectively and more patiently to capture what you most need and desire. It not only has excellent vision, but its hearing is amazing -- so it reminds us to truly Listen and See what is around us, within our lives, and our place/responsibility within situations.
It is not unusual for individuals with kestrels as a totem/guide to want to always sit or be placed in a position where they have a wide vision of everything about them. Kestrel folks are known for being out-going, vibrant, alive people... living life to the fullest. They are great-thinkers and spend time involved in deep-thoughts, they are detail oriented, and are likewise capable of working in the abstract. They are apt at adapting, can change directions in their lives on a "dime" and recover from any situation with a sense of flexibility and grace. Let it be known however, kestrel-folks are protective of their families, property, and self. Once crossed, they do not easily forgive, nor forget -- instead, they choose to totally redirect their own life accordingly.
A Few Notes if you choose to try to attract Kestrel's to a Nesting Box:
They are comfortable with people and live in rural areas and open country as well as in towns and cities, if food and habitat are available. Kestrel populations have been threatened by loss of habitat, due to such practices as cutting hedgerows and the loss of hay and old fields in favor of row crops, and by pesticides which contaminate their food. Kestrels may be attracted to birdhouses, as they do not excavate their own holes, and large woodpecker holes are hard to find. This may be a more important factor in controlling the size of the Kestrel population than the food supply.
The American Kestrel prefers open country, especially parks, farmlands, and open areas adjacent to woodlands. Place the box on a tree near an open area, between 10 and 30 feet above the ground. Keep branches away from the box opening. They will readily use a nest box placed in an open area, even along a highway, and the more that are put up, the more Kestrels will live in the area. Because of the bird's tendency to sometimes eat other small birds, you may wish to place the box away from those for other species. Placing the house in fields or orchards may benefit crops, as the kestrels will eat harmful voles and insects. The kestrel does not line its nest, but some experts recommend providing wood chips (not sawdust, which can hurt their babies eyes).
Happy Kestrel-Watching!
