8x10 Oil on Light Walnut
 
Also called a sparrow hawk, the American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America and although little, he packs a predator's fierce intensity in his prey in open territory. He waits for a meal on a wire or pole, or hovers facing the wind.  He is the most colorful of all raptors with a beautiful blue head and wings in contract to his rusty-red body.  Unfortunately, kestrels are on the decline in parts of their range, but people are putting up nest boxes to help save these birds.