Freyja
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Freyja hatched out in the wild in central Wisconsin. The nest was discovered inside the stump of a tree after a line of storms and tornadoes swept through the area. The property owners discovered the nestlings, and, with good intentions, they took them inside to care for them. After a short while, they sought out a local wildlife rehabilitator. Because of her exposure to the human caretakers, Freyja had accidentally become imprinted and could not be released into the wild.
Hatch Year: 2024
Weight: 3-6 ounces | Freyja: 4 oz
Wingspan: 21-24 in
Lifespan in the Wild: 2-7 years
Lifespan in Captivity: 12 years
Fun Fact: The name Freyja is from the Norse goddess of love and war. Since American kestrels are one of the few raptor species who are sexually dichromatic, you will notice that Freyja looks different than our male American kestrel, Saxon!
About my Species: American kestrels are cavity nesters and will nest in old woodpecker holes, natural tree hollows and rock crevices. They have also adapted to nesting in man-made structures, including nest boxes. They typically nest along woodland edges or in open fields, where they hunt animals like insects, small mammals and small birds.
