Kestrels Love Nest Boxes

This American Kestrel evolved to nest in tree cavities or small caves in cliffs. We humans have made life difficult for kestrels. Development has shrunk the open spaces they need. We’ve cleared away dead trees they rely on for nests and sprayed pesticides that eliminate the insects the birds eat. But we humans are also in a position to help. Volunteers are helping to build and put up nest boxes, improve habitat, and monitor these cool little falcons. Together, we can #BringBirdsBack.

Today’s show brought to you by the Bobolink Foundation.

BirdNote^®

Kestrels Love Nest Boxes

Written by Bob Sundstrom

This is BirdNote.
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America and perhaps the best looking: males have bright chestnut-colored backs and tails, set off by blue wings.
[Am. Kestrel call, https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/122520941#_ga=2.268748665.920764147.1…, 0.02-.05]
And kestrels are the falcons we have the best chance to see regularly, since they range year-round across most of North America, south into the tropics, all the way to the tip of South America!
This beautiful, miniature bird of prey evolved to nest in tree cavities or small caves in cliffs.
We humans have made life difficult for kestrels. Development has shrunk the open spaces they need. We’ve cleared away dead trees they rely on for nests and sprayed pesticides that eliminate the insects the birds eat.
But we humans are also in a position to help these birds.
[Am. Kestrel juvenile calling, https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/77201551#_ga=2.131377799.920764147.15…, 0.05-.07]
A number of stewardship programs are coordinating volunteers to help build and put up nest boxes, improve habitat, and monitor how these cool little falcons are doing. Community conservation can be the key to the kestrel’s success. Together, we can #BringBirdsBack. Learn more at BirdNote.org.
Today’s show brought to you by the Bobolink Foundation.
For BirdNote, I’m Mary McCann.
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Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Sallie Bodie
Editor: Ashley Ahearn
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Associate Producer: Ellen Blackstone
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. ML122520941 recorded by P Marvin
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2020 BirdNote   July 2020/June 2022 Narrator: Mary McCann

ID# AMKE-02-2020-07-16   AMKE-02

https://www.fohvos.info/kestrel-nesting-boxes/, https://kestrel.peregrinefund.org/, https://calvertstewards.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=97533, https://onondagaaudubon.com/conservation/kestrel-conservation/, https://massbird.org/ecoc/kestrel-nest-box-results/, https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/p…]