- © H. Ryono, Aquarium of the Pacific
- the Aquarium's American Kestrel
American Kestrels were formerly called Sparrowhawks because Sparrows were believed to be their diet preference. These birds are the smallest, most common, and most colorful of North American falcons. Males are more brightly colored than females and females are larger than males. Because of their appetite for small rodents such as mice and squirrels, these small falcons play an important role of predators of so-called nuisance species. They are the only North American falcon that regularly hunts by hovering or kiting (sailing on the wind).
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
throughout South America and south of the Arctic tree line in North America with the exception of high mountains and tropical and temperate rainforests
- Amazing Facts
American Kestrels play a very important role in the control of “nuisance species” such as rodents and insects, major prey items in their diet. The designation of “nuisance” is generally used to refer to animals that, in the perception of humans, have become a nuisance as a result of the animal's population density with large numbers causing associated negative human-wildlife or wildlife-wildlife interactions.
- At the Aquarium
Our American Kestrel which was donated to the Aquarium by the Living Desert Museum makes uncaged appearances in the Aquarium so our guests can get closeup views of his beak and plumage. His name is Orion from Greek mythology which tells about Orion, a giant and celebrated hunter who, after he was killed, was placed in the sky as a constellation. The constellation Orion is on the celestial equator.
The American Kestrel is also illustrated on the Wave’s mosaic tile mural, Rios de la Vida (Rivers of Life). The fountain, mural, and accompanying graphics illustrate the story of our Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers.