American Kestrel

A female kestrel flying in Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i 28 Dec 1984 was not identified to species by experienced European observers, although it was judged to be an American Kestrel by range. Descriptive notes of another female American Kestrel reported 27 Jan-10 Mar 1970 near the main gate at Ft. Shafter military base in Honolulu, O’ahu, are also not sufficient to distinguish this bird from other kestrel species. This bird appeared tame and possibly with an injured wing, indicating that human assistance in its occurrence was quite possible (AB 39:213). One or both birds may well have been American Kestrels, but with inconclusive identifications and possible human assistance to the O’ahu bird we consider its natural occurrence in the Hawaiian Islands as thus far unsubstantiated. Two species of kestrel occur widely in Eurasia (one of which has reached w. North America) and one in N. America, females of which are similar in appearance.