kestrel
noun
kes·trel
| \ ˈke-strəl
\
\
Definition of kestrel
: any of various small chiefly Old World falcons (genus Falco) that usually hover in the air while searching for prey: such as
a
: a common Eurasian falcon (F. tinnunculus)
b
: an American falcon (F. sparverius) having a reddish-brown back and tail and bluish-gray wings
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Examples of kestrel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His father owned mining property near Carson City, Nev., where Chavez came across three young kestrel falcons that appeared to be abandoned. — Hugo Martin, Los Angeles Times, "Calling in the ‘bird mafia’ to intimidate pesky pigeons and seagulls," 18 Aug. 2019 In her care was a kestrel, peregrine falcon, barn owl, bald and golden eagle. — Denise Coffey, Courant Community, "Connecticut Audubon Hosts Migration Madness Weekend," 29 May 2018 The 25 fledglings born this year bring the project’s overall total to 82 kestrels since its inception. — Mike Danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "American kestrel falcon fledglings banded at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve," 29 June 2018 Newburyport: At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge were four horned grebes, one snowy owl, 50 purple sandpipers, 44 migrating northern harriers, and 41 migrating American kestrels. — BostonGlobe.com, "Bird sightings in Massachusetts," 21 Apr. 2018 American kestrels are the smallest falcon found in North America, only about the size of a robin, Joray said. — Mike Danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Tiny kestrel falcons growing their numbers by using manmade nests to hatch babies," 20 June 2018 American kestrel falcons, including two male fledglings born in a nest box at the Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve just outside Elgin, were banded Friday by wildlife experts from the Kane and Cook county forest preserve districts. — Mike Danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "American kestrel falcon fledglings banded at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve," 29 June 2018 Meet two of North America’s smallest birds of prey: the American kestrel and eastern screech owl. — Sara Ervin Walser, Laurel Leader, "Nature programs at Patuxent Research in full swing [South Laurel/Montpelier]," 28 June 2018 Both expert hunters, the American kestrel uses its acrobatic prowess, while the eastern screech owl is a stealthy silenthunter. — Sara Ervin Walser, Laurel Leader, "Spring into outdoor events at Patuxent Wildlife Visitor Center [South Laurel/Montpelier]," 17 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kestrel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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