The American Kestrel is the smallest raptor in the United States. Males have a spotted tan breast, a reddish brown back and tail, and slate blue wings. Females are larger with reddish brown wings, black streaks on back and bands around their tail. The Kestrel is beneficial in keeping the insect population under control. The Kestrel’s tiny little insect catching toes help it to catch such meals as grass hoppers, beetles and even mice.

Kestrels are secondary nesters. This means that they do not excavate their own cavity. Rather they take over an abandoned nesting cavity of another bird. This makes the Kestrel a perfect candidate for a Kestrel House!

When purchasing a Kestrel House (or making one yourself), make sure that it has untreated wood. Otherwise the eggs or babies may be harmed.

Adding wood chips is important as the Kestrel will not bring nesting materials into the box. If eggs are laid on the bare wood, they won’t hatch. Wood chips will make the house a nice soft spot for eggs to be laid so they won’t crack.

The wood chips should be checked annually. If the wood chips are dirty or flattened out you can clean it out and add new wood chips.

Place the Kestrel House as high as possible. Kestrels nest up to 30 feet in an area surrounded by open space.