Xcel Energy American Kestrel Cam

Background

We have one kestrel nest box established at the Pawnee Generating Station in Brush, Colo. The box is equipped with a high-definition camera that operates under low-light conditions. The kestrel nest box is positioned on a pole away from the main building but on company property.


Watch the streaming live video from the nest box at Pawnee Station and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the most latest updates.

Kestrel Facts

‌
  • The American Kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon found in North America. Weighing only 4.1 oz on average. Wingspan length is 20-24 inches.
  • Kestrels can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, meadows, deserts, and other open to semi-open regions.
  • They can see ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye.
  • They mostly eat insects, rodents, and even birds as large as they are, like a robin.
  • The oldest American Kestrel was a male and at least 14 years and 8 months old when he was found in Utah in 2001. He was banded in 1987 in the state of Utah.
  • The oldest known American Kestrel in captivity is a male who hatched in 2001. He was injured and deemed non-releasable. He now lives and is cared for by HawkQuest, a non-profit environmental organization.

About

In past years, a nest box was set up and occupied by kestrels at Pawnee Station. From 2005-2015 there were 31 young produced. The new nest box is positioned on the side of a pole away from the main building and is a new nest box newly equipped with a hi-def high-definition infrared camera.
‌

The area around Pawnee Station is ideal for kestrels to hunt their prey. They can hover above ground (like a helicoper) looking for their prey, scanning the ground below for a glowing trail of mouse or vole urine. Kestrels will start their nesting activities in late February and lay a clutch of 3 to 6 eggs in late April or early May. The eggs will hatch in approximately 28 days, and the chicks will fledge gradually when they are around four weeks old. They explore increasing distances from the nest, but return to it to roost for another couple of weeks. Adults continue to feed the young for a month after fledging, during which time they will learn to catch their own food. By late July, the young will survive on their own and leave the nest.

Interested in corresponding with other Bird Cam viewers? Join the BirdCam Forum available through the Raptor Resource Project.