The Peregrin Falcon in PA: A Small but Mighty Hunter

The Peregrine Falcon, also known as the American Kestrel, is a tiny bird that requires incredible strength, agility, and endurance to sustain its motionless flying. Unlike other birds, kestrels can actively flap their wings and use their tail to hover in one place, like a helicopter in mid-air, while scouting for prey with the aid of a strong headwind.

One of Pennsylvania's most attractive falcons, the American Kestrel is a fantastic eye-catcher due to its stunning blue, red, grey, brown, and black feather designs. With remarkable aerobatic skills and quick flight, this little raptor is an impressive sight to behold.

Kestrels are likely to be present in areas with sufficient perches, such as power lines and trees, appropriate nesting chambers, and an abundance of prey. They can be found in a range of environments, from deserts to urban areas, agricultural fields, and tropical lowlands.

During the winter months, American Kestrels typically migrate as far south as Panama and the Caribbean, south of the Canadian border. In the summer breeding season, they can be found in Canada and Alaska, part of their northern range. You may spot them sitting on power wires, sometimes bobbing their tails as they search for prey.

One notable characteristic of American Kestrels is that males have blue-hued wings and only one black bar on their tail feathers, while females have orange wings with black stripes and multiple black bars on their orange tail feathers.

Consider taking the time to search for this little, colorful bird if you're walking along a roadside or in an open area. Young kestrels get an opportunity to practice hunting with their parents before having to fend for themselves, and they typically weigh between 3 and 6 ounces, equivalent to around 34 cents.

American Kestrels frequently go on family hunts, making them a fascinating sight to observe. As the smallest falcon in North America, the American Kestrel is certainly an impressive hunter that deserves attention and admiration.

Peregrin falcon in pa