American Kestrel

American Kestrels have a long but complicated history in falconry. Indigenous peoples of the Americas kept small falcons for centuries before European contact. In modern falconry, Kestrels gained recognition as apprentice-legal birds alongside Red-tailed Hawks, though their role has always been debated. Some falconers view them as excellent training birds that teach precision and discipline; others see them as unnecessarily challenging for beginners. The development of sparrow hawking as a serious pursuit in urban and suburban settings has given Kestrel falconry renewed purpose, particularly for falconers with limited access to open hunting land.

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.

Sparrow hawking with a Kestrel is a fast-paced urban pursuit unlike any other form of falconry. The falconer walks neighborhood streets, parking lots, or park edges where House Sparrows congregate around bushes, dumpsters, and building eaves. The Kestrel rides the fist, alert and scanning. When sparrows are spotted, the falconer positions carefully and releases the falcon for a short, explosive flight. Chases are brief—measured in seconds—as the Kestrel threads between cars, fences, and buildings. The small scale belies the intensity: each flight demands split-second timing from both falcon and falconer.

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

Caring for a Kestrel demands meticulous attention to weight and temperature. The morning routine begins with a precise gram-scale weigh-in—even a five-gram difference matters at this size. The falconer checks feet for any early signs of bumblefoot and inspects feathers for stress bars or damage. Food portions are measured with surgical precision, typically consisting of day-old chicks, mice, or quail parts. In cold weather, indoor housing or supplemental heat may be required to prevent the bird from burning through its reserves overnight. This level of daily vigilance is what makes Kestrel falconry both demanding and deeply educational.

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.