The same habit can be observed in the American kestrel, which can often be seen suspended in the air over open areas, wings beating so rapidly they blur. Kestrels can also be seen perched on fence posts and utility poles and wires by roadsides, where road shoulders, verges, and even median strips attract mice. The birds are not fussy about habitat, however, and have been encountered in urban settings. Roosting places in buildings are usually in wall niches or in holes under the gables roofs. Nest sites are chosen by the male, and in the East nest selection usually takes place around the first week in April.
First choice is a cavity of some type.
This may be a natural cavity in a tree, or one made by another bird, such as a flicker. Cavities in cliffs and buildings are also used, as are man-made nesting boxes. Once the male has chosen a likely site, the female looks it over and passes judgment. If the site passes inspection, the female lays 4 or 5 eggs, incubating for roughly 30 days. The young fledge in another 30 days.