American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

"This smallest of the North American hawks was formerly called the sparrowhawk. The name has been changed to bring it into line with the nomenclature used in Europe ... A jay-sized raptor, the American kestrel has a wingspan of less than two feet ... Both sexes have two vertical stripes on each side of the white face, a double "mustache" where other falcons have but one."

Photo taken with a Nikon D80 using a Nikon manual focus 300mm, f2.8 lens.

February 10, 2007.