The range of the American kestrel spans across nearly all of North America. As you can see in the range map, kestrels can be seen in almost any state throughout the year. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place. They're most likely to be seen in open grassland habitats, where small insects and rodents will be readily available. Farms and prairies also present a perfect habitat for this small falcon.

Finding a Kestrel

Scan fence posts, utility lines and telephone poles, particularly when driving through farmland.