The smallest of North America's raptors, this extremely colorful and delicate falcon shows a striking head pattern with two vertical dark bars and a dark spot on the nape. Adult Male: The wings and crown are blue-gray, with a rufous spot on top of the crown. The back is rufous with black barring. The tail is solid rufous with a broad black subterminal band and black spots on the white outermost tail feathers. The breast is buffy with black spots. Adult Female: Rufous upperparts with black barring, including many narrow black bands on the tail. There is a hint of blue-gray on the primaries and on the head. Breast is whitish with broad rusty streaks. Immature Male: Like adult male, but barring on back more extensive, with long bars extending fully across the rufous back and fine streaking rather than spotting below. Immature Female: Similar to adult female, but thinner streaking below. Bill is very stubby, light horn colored at the base and gray towards the tip, yellow cere.

Length: 23 (cm) Wingspan: 51 (cm)

Voice:

A loud rapid ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki.

Habitat:

A wide variety of open habitats, including grasslands, deserts, roadsides, with suitable perches.

Behavior:

Hunts from perches, often power lines. Often hovers over open habitats. Nearly always pumps its tail immediately after landing and often when perched.

Feeding:

Eats insects, rodents, birds and snakes, usually captured on the ground.