American Sparrow Hawk

The American Kestrel is a small falcon. This bird was colloquially known in North America as the Sparrow Hawk. This name is misleading because it implies a connection with the Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, which is unrelated; the latter is an accipiter rather than a falcon. Though both are diurnal raptors, they are only distantly related.

The American Sparrow Hawk is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

It's similar to the American Sparrow Hawk except in color, range and call. I like to research those birds, man. (or lady?) Thanks! Source(s): A Field Guide to Birds Encarta ***Addition*** After seeing info on pygmy birds in Africa...how come I never saw a word about those in my sources? Dang. More

English: American Kestrel, American Sparrow Hawk, American Sparrow-Hawk, Dixie Kestrel, Killy Hawk, Mouse Hawk, Rusty-crowned falcon, Sparrow Hawk Spanish: Cernícalo, cernícalo american, Cernícalo Americano, Cernícalo de Juan Fernández, Cernícalo primito, Cerniícal Americano, Cuyaya, Falcón Común, Halcón Común, Halconcito, Halconcito colorado, Halconcito Común, Lis lis, Salnícalo Spanish (Argentine): Halconcito colorado Spanish (Bolivia): Halconcito colorado Spanish (Colombia): Cernícalo Americano Spanish (Costa Rica): Cernícalo Americano Spanish (Cuba): Cernícalo Spanish (Dominican Rep. More

little American Sparrow Hawk may often be seen at a fairly close range. The traveler going into the mountains from the west will have good opportunities to observe this bird on the plains of the San Joaquin Valley, either from the windows of the railroad train or along any of the highways. The sparrow hawk is decidedly misnamed, for it very rarely captures sparrows or other birds, but devotes its attention to small rodents, such as meadow mice, and to insects. More