"Mr. K" - an American Kestrel

This mature male American kestrel was found in Johnson County on I-435 after being hit by a car. The wrist portion of the left wing had been amputated. His flight ability is impaired so he can't be released back into the wild.

"Mr. K" serves a dual purpose within our facility. During baby season he is a foster parent to orphaned kestrels that will be released back into the wild. During the off season he is part of OWL's education team teaching young and old the value of our native wildlife.

Fun Facts

American Kestrels are dimorphic -- the female is one color and the male another.
They nest in hollow trees and are quite common to the urban area -- boxes on telephone poles.
Prefers woodland borders, open fields, pastures with scattered trees and highways.
Smallest North American falcon.
Other names include the "sparrow hawk," "killy hawk" or the "grasshopper hawk."
Has the ability to hover.
Weighs 1/4 pound and must eat its body weight a day in food.
Prey consists of insects, bats, mice, birds, lizards, snakes and frogs.
Often will hunt from a lofty or tall perch.
Eggs are incubated almost entirely by female for approximately 29-30 days.
Young fledge at about 60 days.
Average life span is approximately 1 year 3 months in the wild.

Read about a different education animal.