American Kestrel

Los Cernícalos Americanos tienen una historia larga pero complicada en la cetrería. Los pueblos indígenas de las Américas mantuvieron pequeños halcones durante siglos antes del contacto europeo. En la cetrería moderna, los Cernícalos ganaron reconocimiento como aves legales para aprendices junto con los Aguilillas Cola Roja, aunque su papel siempre ha sido debatido. Algunos cetreros los ven como excelentes aves de entrenamiento que enseñan precisión y disciplina; otros los consideran innecesariamente desafiantes para principiantes. El desarrollo de la caza de gorriones como una actividad seria en entornos urbanos y suburbanos ha dado un propósito renovado a la cetrería con Cernícalo, particularmente para cetreros con acceso limitado a terrenos de caza abiertos.

The Small Bird Paradox

Many beginners assume that smaller birds are easier—less intimidating, cheaper to feed, smaller housing requirements. In reality, the opposite is often true:

When Kestrels Make Sense

This isn’t to say Kestrels can’t work for apprentices. They can be appropriate when:

• You have severe space limitations (apartment, small yard) and can’t house a Red-tail
• You live somewhere without huntable rabbit populations
• Your sponsor is experienced with Kestrels and can guide you closely
• You understand and accept the additional challenge

If these apply to you, a Kestrel can work. Just go in with realistic expectations.

Temperament

Kestrels are true falcons—quick, alert, and high-strung compared to buteos like Red-tails. They’re constantly scanning their environment, reacting to movement, and assessing potential prey and predators.

Many Kestrels become quite tame with regular handling, but they rarely achieve the calm demeanor of a well-manned Red-tail. They’re always “on”—which is part of their charm but also part of their difficulty.

Males (smaller, more colorful) and females (larger, more subdued colors) have somewhat different temperaments. Males are often considered more excitable; females may be slightly more steady.

Hunting Style

In the wild, Kestrels hunt from perches, hovering, and direct pursuit. They take a wide variety of prey: grasshoppers, lizards, mice, small birds, and other small creatures.

In falconry, Kestrels are most often used for:

Sparrow Hawking

Hunting House Sparrows in urban and suburban environments. This is probably the most common use for falconry Kestrels. It’s accessible (sparrows are everywhere) and can be done in relatively small areas.

Insect Hawking

Grasshoppers and other large insects. This is excellent for training and conditioning but doesn’t have the same appeal as hunting birds or mammals.

Mouse Hawking

Some falconers train Kestrels to hunt mice in fields. This requires finding appropriate habitat with visible mouse populations.

La caza de gorriones con un Cernícalo es una persecución urbana rápida sin igual en ninguna otra forma de cetrería. El cetrero camina por calles de barrios, estacionamientos o bordes de parques donde los gorriones se congregan alrededor de arbustos, contenedores de basura y aleros de edificios. El Cernícalo va en el puño, alerta y escaneando. Cuando se detectan gorriones, el cetrero se posiciona cuidadosamente y suelta al halcón para un vuelo corto y explosivo. Las persecuciones son breves—medidas en segundos—mientras el Cernícalo se desliza entre coches, vallas y edificios. La pequeña escala desmiente la intensidad: cada vuelo exige una coordinación precisa entre halcón y cetrero.

Quarry

Weight Management

This is where Kestrel falconry gets tricky. Because they’re so small, the margin between “too fat to respond” and “dangerously weak” is narrow.

A Red-tail can be 50-100g overweight and still hunt adequately. A Kestrel that’s 15g overweight might refuse to fly; one that’s 15g underweight is in medical danger. This demands daily weighing, careful feeding, and constant attention.

Housing

The one area where Kestrels are genuinely easier: housing requirements are more modest.

• Mews size: Can be smaller than Red-tail requirements (check your state)
• Indoor option: Some falconers keep Kestrels in modified rooms rather than outdoor mews
• Perching: Smaller perches appropriate to their size
• Temperature: More critical to protect from cold than larger birds

Cuidar de un Cernícalo exige atención meticulosa al peso y la temperatura. La rutina matutina comienza con un pesaje preciso en balanza de gramos—incluso cinco gramos de diferencia importan a este tamaño. El cetrero revisa los pies en busca de signos tempranos de pododermatitis e inspecciona las plumas en busca de barras de estrés o daño. Las porciones de alimento se miden con precisión quirúrgica, consistiendo típicamente en pollitos de un día, ratones o porciones de codorniz. En clima frío, puede requerirse alojamiento interior o calefacción suplementaria para evitar que el ave queme sus reservas durante la noche. Este nivel de vigilancia diaria es lo que hace la cetrería con Cernícalo tan exigente como profundamente educativa.

The Training Challenge

Training a Kestrel follows the same basic principles as any raptor—manning, food association, creance work, free flight. But the timeline is compressed and the margins tighter:

• You can’t skip meals like you might with a larger bird
• Training sessions need to be shorter (they tire faster)
• Weather affects them more—adjust for temperature
• Their quick reactions can make them seem more “trained” than they are

The Honest Assessment

Kestrels are beautiful, engaging falcons that can provide excellent sport. Sparrow hawking is a legitimate and enjoyable pursuit. Many falconers love them.

But for most apprentices, the learning curve is steeper than it needs to be. The skills you develop with a Red-tail—weight management, reading behavior, training methodology—transfer to any species. Starting with a more forgiving bird lets you make beginner mistakes without fatal consequences.

If you’ve read all this and still want to start with a Kestrel, make sure your sponsor is fully on board and experienced with the species. Don’t let their small size fool you into thinking they’re the “easy” option.