American kestrel
- noun
- /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈkɛstrəl/
- US
:
cernícalo americano
- An American kestrel perched on a telephone wire is a common sight in fields across North America.
- hawks and American kestrels
Examples
-
About 10 percent are golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, and burrowing owls, the latter a California species of special concern.
Academic text (2008) -
The American kestrel is known for its vibrant plumage, which includes a reddish-brown back and blue-grey wings.
-
During migration, many birdwatchers look for the American kestrel as it hunts for insects and small rodents.
Synonyms
3
7.9
A small hunting bird with long wings and tail that hovers to catch small animals
A small bird of prey in North America often called the American kestrel
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun compound: 'American' (from America/the United States) modifies 'kestrel' (a small falcon), so the overall meaning — a kestrel associated with America — is directly inferable. This geographic modifier + species pattern is common in English and cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.
Etymology
American kestrel gets its name from the word kestrel, an old name for a small falcon that often hovers over fields while it watches and hunts. Because this colorful, tiny falcon lives in North America, people call it the American kestrel, which simply means 'a kestrel from America'.