North America’s smallest falcon, the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), has declined across the continent since the 1970s, yet the causes continue to stump raptor biologists. A new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research adds a piece to the puzzle with the discovery that in the Northeast, where declines are most alarming, fledglings demonstrate a relatively high survival rate.
Mysterious falcon decline: American Kestrel juveniles thrive amid population drop
Every day is a new bummer. I like kestrels and have some on my land. I have always said I need to get boxes up but never do.
This is very sad . Are there dimensions and suggestions as to placement for boxes….many years ago you hacked back a wild kestrel that I raised at the CZ in Boston. Caring for this amazing little creature was something I will never forget! She was used as a teaching ambassador on our educational vehicle. She made quite an impact on all she visited. I still have notes and drawings from children and teachers impressed by her presence. I kept her as a private charge at home on my days off . She had a clear understanding with my cat who tried only once to take her on . As she matured I was so happy to find out that you might be able to return her to the wild . So many people dropped off baby animals thought to be abandoned by parents or grabbed for pets that didn’t work out. Some of my favorite memories of my time at the CZ were to see animals returned to the wild.. thankyou for making that possible.
https://www.google.com/search?q=kestrel+boxes&oq=kestrel+boxes&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORiABDIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjINCAYQABiGAxiABBiKBTINCAcQABiGAxiABBiKBTINCAgQABiGAxiABBiKBTIKCAkQABiABBiiBDIKCAoQABiABBiiBDIKCAsQABiABBiiBNIBCDU4NjZqMGo4qAIAsAIA&client=tablet-android-bell-ca&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
Loads of info online about kestrels, boxes, etc.