n the spirit of World Nature Conservation Day the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center will be releasing an American Kestrel at the Picnic Mountain Overlook (just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Roanoke River Parkway Rd) Monday, July 28, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is thrilled to announce an exciting release of American Kestrel patient 2025-0728! Kestrel populations are in a steep decline making this a real conservation success story! This will be the first time she has ever flown in the wild and we encourage everyone to come join us and watch this magnificent bird take to the skies for the very first time! Public is encouraged to attend!
This patient came to us as a mere nestling weighing just 86 grams on May 23, 2025. Upon arrival we discovered it was only a couple weeks old, slightly dehydrated, but was in relatively good shape. After recently passing flight school and mouse school with "flying" colors, he is ready to go home. Please come out and join us!
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. In the wild, these remarkable raptors have a fairly short lifespan of just under 5 years. This particular release is very important since American Kestrel numbers are plummeting across North America. Some areas are seeing very dramatic population decreases, particularly in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Since 1964, North America has seen a 50% reduction in kestrel populations and another 50% is predicted to disappear by 2075; it is estimated that their overall population is declining at a rate of 1.4%/year!
According to the USGS Breeding Bird Survey, populations of American kestrels have declined more than 88% in the Mid-Atlantic region over the last 50 years, Not only are their populations declining but so are their sizes. Biologists have also noticed a decrease in body weight by as much as 5 grams (that's a lot for such a small bird) and their wingspan is shortening too. In recent decades, scientists have found a 90% decline in New England pastoral landscapes as well.
This important bird of prey requires highly specialized care and expensive food to train it to hunt. We estimate his food, care, and housing to cost more than $1,000 for the time he has been with us.
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