Also vegetation differences and the use of pesticides that reduce food resources may render agricultural lands less suitable than natural areas. In south-central Florida, kestrels nest in longleaf pine sandhills and pine flatwoods. However, much of this area has been converted to citrus production and kestrel populations are much smaller than in north-central Florida. Some slash pine flatwoods in this region have nesting kestrels. Recently, kestrels have been found nesting in structures such as ornamental palms, buildings, utility poles, and purple martin houses in Hillsborough, Polk, and Highlands Counties.
Kestrels use very little if any nesting material.
The female does most of the incubation, which lasts about 30 days. The main reason for this decline is loss of habitat. The southeastern kestrel prefers open pine woodlands. Since the turn of the century, however, millions of acres have been altered into row crops, citrus groves, residential development, and timber production. With the rapid growth of Florida's human population, habitat loss is increasing.