Most of the chest and back are dotted with black spots. The female is similarly marked as the male, but has more brown and less blue-gray. As is characteristic of raptors, the female kestrels are slightly larger than the males. Kestrels are hunters, eating primarily insects, small mammals and birds. Rarely, they will eat small snakes and lizards.
Kestrels are monogamous and both the female and male help in raising the young.
Breeding usually begins in April following courtship displays and nest selection. There are usually four or five eggs laid, which hatch after 29-30 days of incubation. The female incubates the eggs, but once the chicks hatch the male is primarily responsible for bringing food to the nest for the chicks. The young birds are independent after four to five weeks. Atlas of Oregon Wildlife.