Don’t forget Kestrel cam!!

A reminder, there is also a webcam streaming video of an American Kestrel nestbox from the NGPC headquarters building here in Lincoln.  Click the still photo (showing two eggs), to the left, from the webcam or cut-and-paste the following URL to be taken to the Kestrel-cam page:  

http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/wildlife/webcam/kestrel/index.asp

American Kestrels, or sparrowhawks, are also falcons and are closely related to Peregrine Falcons.    However, the dainty American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America and is about half the length (from bill to the tip of the tail) of a Peregrine Falcon.   American Kestrels also have a little different diet.  The do prey on the smallest of songbirds, but large insects such as grasshoppers and cicadas and small mammals such as mice and shrews are a large part of their diet.  American Kestrels nest in tree cavities and have readily adapted to nestboxes.  Our nestbox is essentially a Wood Duck nestbox.  Our Kestrels have two eggs and like the Peregrines, they will be laying 2-3 more before the clutch is complete.  

Below is a photo of the nestbox from the outside.  Again, it is located on the north side of the NGPC headquarter building.