We thought she could be laying an egg, but later images prove that to be wrong. It is unclear what she is doing in this photo. April 25 - American Kestrels are our smallest falcon, and are sometimes confused with Killdeer and Mourning Doves, especially in flight. If she decides to accept this nesting site, she could lay eggs within the next 7-10 days. Male kestrels have a rufous back and tail, and a pronounced black moustache.
Males have blue-gray wings and partial barring on their backs.
April 22 - Over the past few days, kestrels and starlings have been competing for the box. Observing the male kestrel in the box often is a good indication that he has claimed this nesting territory. April 21 - At Hawk Mountain, as well as many other places in North America, starlings are the kestrels main competitors for nesting sites. Below, a pair of starlings are visible in this box. Notice the large dark eye spots on the back of the kestrel's head.