ÍáÍáÂþ»­

Oh, glorious spring, my favorite time of year. While old man winter reluctantly and eventually takes a backseat to sister spring, we can revel in the annual renewal now upon us.

On a recent solo drive to Roseau on State Highway 89 from Bemidji, I silently celebrated the many avian observations along the way. I observed a host of songbirds, a meadowlark among them. I also saw several species of raptors like a red-tailed hawk, northern harrier and merlin, in addition to a pint-sized favorite, the American kestrel, also known as sparrow hawk.

Kestrels are the smallest North American species of falcon. Often mistakenly referred to as a hawk, kestrels are falcons and are indeed small (not much larger than a robin). American kestrels are not bashful and they reside in a wide variety of habitats. Like wood ducks and bluebirds, kestrels will readily accept the accommodations of artificial nest-boxes. Perhaps the most easily recognized and frequently observed Minnesota raptor, the beautifully plumaged American kestrel is also common.

No other bird of prey in North America is so richly colored. Male kestrels sport a rusty back and tail, slate blue adorns his crown and wings, and a white terminal band tips his tail. White cheek patches are accented by two black "whisker" markings on each side of his head. The total length is about 10 inches long and averages slightly less than four ounces in weight. Not much for size, but any shortcomings are compensated by force and fearlessness.

Their diet is surprisingly general for such small falcons. Unlike other falcons, which capture most of their preferred prey (birds) in the air, kestrels capture much of their prey on the ground, though not always. Species of mammals make up about 70% of their diet, including rodents such as young ground squirrels, gophers, shrews, voles, mice and rats. Even young cottontail rabbits are preyed upon.

Birds, about 10% of their total diet, are hunted too. Insects (20%), including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and worms, make up a significant part of a kestrel’s diet as well. And about 1% of their diet consists of snakes, salamanders, frogs and toads.

A familiar kestrel habit will often give human admirers a good clue toward positive identification. Kestrels typically hunt by hovering in a near motionless — save for their fluttering wings — above grassy fields, ditches or other likely small-rodent haunts. The raptor’s longish tail will be fanned, the body angled slightly upward and the head tilted downward with eyes intensely riveted and searching for the movements of prey beneath tall vegetation.

Aided by headwinds, this mode of flight would be maintained indefinitely, occasionally dipping abruptly a few feet lower in altitude, only to regain the sedentary airborne posture if prey had yet to be sighted or secured. A complete free-fall to the ground below will occur if a hapless vole, mouse, or grasshopper fails to miss the clutches of the falcon's quick strike.

As previously mentioned, American kestrels are common in Minnesota. But for how long? According to data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the continental population is declining by 1.41% annually. Extrapolating this, the total decline from 1966 to 2019 was 53%. Moreover, if present declines continue, the kestrel population will decrease another 50% by 2075. Not good news!

As with most wildlife population declines, it all comes down to habitat, habitat, habitat. Forest clearing and not leaving plenty of dead, standing trees, i.e., snags, for these cavity-dependent species of bird, is a primary factor contributing to kestrel population declines. Modern farming practices are also impacting kestrel populations. The clearing of shelterbelts, fence rows and the heavy use of pesticides are detrimental to kestrel populations as well as many other species of wild birds.

Not to close with doom and gloom, American kestrel populations can rebound with the commitment of dedicated conservation-minded people focused on improving wildlife habitat and land use practices. It can be done. We’ve done it before and can do it again as we get out and enjoy the great outdoors.