What behavior do American Kestrels exhibit while hunting?

American Kestrels are known for their unique hunting technique that includes hovering in place, which is often referred to as "kiting." This skill allows them to maintain a fixed position in the air while they scan the ground for potential prey, such as insects and small rodents. The kestrel's lightweight body and strong flight muscles enable them to remain suspended in the air, adjusting their movements with the wind to keep their focus on the hunting ground below.

The other behaviors mentioned, while they may pertain to the American Kestrel, do not directly relate to their hunting strategy. For instance, nesting in trees is a breeding behavior but not a hunting behavior. Chasing down small mammals may describe the hunting methods of some raptors, but kestrels typically prefer to spot their prey from above before diving down rather than chasing it. Hunting primarily in the early morning might apply to many birds of prey, but kestrels are adaptable hunters, active at various times of the day, thus it does not define their primary hunting behavior. Therefore, hovering in place is the most distinctive and accurate description of how American Kestrels hunt.