This is Bird Note. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America

and perhaps the best looking. Meals have bright chestnut colored backs and

tails set off by blue wings.

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. 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 success. Together we can bring birds back. Learn more at birdnote.org.

Today's show brought to you by the Bobbelink Foundation. For bird note, I'm Mary

McCann.