American Kestrel

Anyone who has ever seen an American Kestrel hover above a meadow just before diving on its prey can appreciate the beauty of this colorful bird. Unfortunately, our smallest falcon is in big trouble. Kestrels have been recorded in the Bay State since the early days of European settlement. Only fifty years ago, they could be seen perched on a tree or utility pole near any field of sufficient size. Now, they are becoming more and more difficult to find. Three major indices (Christmas Bird Counts, Breeding Bird Atlases, and Breeding Bird Surveys) all confirm that the population of American Kestrels in Massachusetts has dropped precipitously in the past few decades.

In response, Mass Audubon is launching a nest box program aimed at helping the American Kestrel population recover. Follow the links on the left to learn more about kestrels and their plight, as well as to find out how you can help preserve these special birds.