Another member of the Falcon Family…American Kestrel’s perhaps not as common as the larger Merlin’s.
They have two very noticeable black vertical stripes on the side of their faces. Unlike Merlin’s who use abandoned crows nest the Kestrel is a cavity nester and will use old Woodpecker holes or openings in manmade structures.
Kestrels are often seen along country roads…taking advantage of telephone/hydro lines to perch on and hunt from.
They tend to hover when hunting and take their prey on the ground…which consists of insects, mice and small birds.
So if you’re out for a drive in the country keep an eye for one of these small Falcons.