American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Also known asCrécerelle d'Amérique · Falcão-americano · Buntfalke · 美国隼 · アメリカチョウゲンボウ · 아메리카황조롱이 · دلیجه آمریکایی · عوسق أمريكي · Воробьиная пустельга · เหยี่ยวเคสเตรลพันธุ์อเมริกา
Listen
Our streaming copies are mirrored from the original xeno-canto file and transcoded to 96 kbps mono — a modification, so we note it here; the licence for each recording is named in its credit above.
2 recordings on this page · licensed CC BY-SA ×2 · mirrored on this server, free for commercial reuse · recorded in United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile and elsewhere · xeno-canto lists 173 recordings for this species in total.
A real field recording of the American Kestrel. Press play and focus on the rhythm and pitch of each phrase.
About the American Kestrel
The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in the Americas. Though it has been called the American "sparrow hawk", this now obsolete vernacular name is a misnomer; the American kestrel is a true falcon, while neither the Eurasian sparrowhawk nor the other species called sparrowhawks are in the family Falconidae, hence only very distantly related to the American kestrel. It has a roughly two-to-one range in size over subspecies and sex, varying in size from about the weight of a blue jay to a mourning dove. It is a very successful species, occurring almost throughout North and South America except for the Arctic fringes of North America, and the densest tropical Amazon rainforest areas; it has evolved into 17 subspecies adapted to different environments and habitats throughout the region. It exhibits sexual dimorphism in size (females being moderately larger) and plumage, although both sexes have a rufous back with noticeable barring. Its plumage is colorful, and juveniles are similar in plumage to adults.
Ecology and behavior
As a member of Falconidae, this bird is associated with open air, cliffs, grassland, cities and dry edges. It generally feeds by fast pursuit of prey or flying insects. These habits determine where the bird is easiest to observe and explain why a recording often gives the first clue to its presence. Recorded examples on this site are linked to United States. Local vegetation and weather can change the impression of the voice, but field identification still depends on the same evidence: the perch, surrounding cover and behavior of the calling bird.What to listen for
Calls are sharp and rapid; note the speed and hardness of each series. The available recordings are labeled as call. On the first listen, follow repetition and phrase length. On the second, decide whether the tone is clear, buzzy, burry, harsh, rounded or thin. On the third, trace pitch direction and the gaps between phrases. A strong field note describes the complete sound before naming the species. Note whether the bird stays hidden or uses an exposed perch, whether phrases accelerate, and whether the voice belongs to a boundary between two habitats. Those details make the recording useful during a real encounter.A field note on this voice
Listening context
The recordings shown here come from the United States. Because exact recording dates are not available for this conservative note, it is best not to treat any month or season as guaranteed. Local weather, latitude, habitat and breeding cycles can all change when a bird is most vocal. Use the region as a starting point, then look for supporting evidence in the field. Habitat, perch height, light conditions and observed behavior often provide more reliable context than a broad seasonal guess.
Time of day
The exact recording time is not available for this sample. Early morning is often a productive time to listen because many birds sing more regularly then and sound may carry well, but that is a general observation rather than a rule for this species. Birds may also vocalize later while feeding, moving through cover, interacting with nearby individuals or responding to disturbance. Listen for the same kinds of sounds at different times and compare the surrounding behavior.
What this vocalization may suggest
This page contains call. Songs are often longer, more structured and more repetitive than short calls. A clear phrase repeated at regular intervals can be associated with breeding activity or the defense of space, although the exact meaning should be confirmed by observation. Shorter or more abrupt notes may accompany movement, alertness or contact between birds. Changes in pace, volume or tone can sometimes reflect heightened interaction, while an evenly spaced delivery may simply be routine.
Understanding pitch
High notes do not automatically indicate courtship, and low notes do not necessarily signal alarm. Pitch works alongside rhythm, repetition, volume and tone. A high, clear phrase may be a territorial song, while high, irregular notes might suggest agitation; some low, soft sounds may simply help birds stay in contact. Rather than focusing on pitch alone, observe what the bird is doing before and after the sound. The most useful field note combines the voice with place, habitat, time and behavior.
Editor's note
These interpretations are intended as listening guidance based on the available recordings and context, not as proof of an individual bird's intent. When exact dates or times are unavailable, this note deliberately avoids claiming them. Strong observations record the date and time, habitat, perch height, weather and behavior before and after the vocalization.
Similar species
- Common KestrelFalco tinnunculusrecording
- Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusrecording
- Amur FalconFalco amurensisrecording
- Aplomado FalconFalco femoralisprofile
- Australian HobbyFalco longipennisprofile
- Banded KestrelFalco zoniventrisprofile
- Bat FalconFalco rufigularisprofile
- Black FalconFalco subnigerprofile
- Brown FalconFalco berigoraprofile
- Dickinson's KestrelFalco dickinsoniprofile
Species grouped by shared genus, family and range. Family: Falconidae.
More birds recorded in United States
- Dusky-capped FlycatcherMyiarchus tuberculiferrecording
- Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisrecording
- Eastern KingbirdTyrannus tyrannusrecording
- Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magnarecording
- Eastern PhoebeSayornis phoeberecording
- Eastern Screech OwlMegascops asiorecording
- Eastern TowheePipilo erythrophthalmusrecording
- Eastern Whip-poor-willAntrostomus vociferusrecording
Every species xeno-canto lists for this country is on the full United States list — 841 species, the ones with recordings marked ▶.