The male has reddish-brown back and tail and slate blue wings. His underside is buff with small black spots on the lower abdomen and flanks. The female is reddish-brown with brown streaks on the chest, and black bands on the tail.
Young birds are similar in appearance to adults.
Kestrels also can be recognized by their hovering flight as they search for prey. The American kestrel occurs from northern Canada and Alaska to the most southern tip of South America. The southeastern kestrel is restricted to South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. It is found throughout Florida except for the extreme southern tip of the peninsula. This subspecies does not migrate and remains in the southeastern U.S. year-round.