Bird field guide · Falcons and Caracaras

Photographing the American Kestrel

How to photograph the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February and December).

22–60 cm1/2500–1/3200 s
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Photo: © Jonathan Eisen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jonathan Eisen via iNaturalist
22–60 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
108,701
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionFor flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 41 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)141 mm210 mm94 mm70 mm
10 m (33 ft)282 mm421 mm188 mm141 mm
15 m (49 ft)422 mm631 mm282 mm211 mm
20 m (66 ft)563 mm841 mm375 mm282 mm
30 m (98 ft)845 mm1,262 mm563 mm422 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,408 mm2,103 mm939 mm704 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 14% Jan Feb: 11% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 8% Apr May: 5% May Jun: 4% Jun Jul: 4% Jul Aug: 5% Aug Sep: 7% Sep Oct: 9% Oct Nov: 11% Nov Dec: 13% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February and December.

About the American Kestrel#

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius), is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. Formerly called "sparrowhawk", a misnomer as it is a true falcon and is unrelated genetically to the Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus. It has a roughly two-to-one range in size over subspecies and sex, varying in size from about the weight of a blue jay to a mourning dove.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Kestrels hover on windy days — a great chance at sharp flight shots.
  • For flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.
  • Sightings peak in January, February and December, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Falcons and Caracaras#

Crested Caracara Crested CaracaraCaracara plancus Merlin MerlinFalco columbarius Peregrine Falcon Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus Yellow-headed Caracara Yellow-headed CaracaraDaptrius chimachima

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph an American Kestrel?

At about 41 cm long, an american kestrel fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 282 mm, or at 20 m with 563 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for an American Kestrel?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a American Kestrel?

Observations in North America peak in January, February and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources