Summary

  • Status in VT: Declined by 26% (140 to 103 blocks). Greatest losses in Northeastern Highlands and Southern Vermont Piedmont.
  • Data from other research: No additional data in VT.
  • Conservation status: State rank S4B; SGCN-M; SSC
  • Other atlases: NY: -14%; PA: -13%; MD: -33%; ON: -9 to -88%
  • VT’s role in North American range: VT is within the core of the range.
  • Causes of change since first Atlas: Loss of agricultural areas due to forest succession and urban/suburban development, loss of cavities due to removal of hedgerows, habitat fragmentation. Possibly also West Nile Virus, increased predation from Cooper’s Hawk, collision with vehicles (especially for young).
  • Management/Monitoring recommendations: Maintain grassland/scrubland habitat through management; landowner education to encourage awareness by farmers; use of kestrel-specific nest boxes placed 10-30 ft (3-9 m) high.

Population Trends

American Kestrel graph

First Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (1976-1981)

Species Account

Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (2003 – 2007)

American Kestrel Map 1 American Kestrel Table 1 American Kestrel Table 2

Change in Distribution

mapkeyAmerican Kestrel Map 2 American Kestrel Table 3

Links

Vermont eBird

Encyclopedia of Life

All About Birds