**Description:** North America’s smallest and most colorful falcon; features vertical black face stripes and a rufous-colored back.
**Size & Weight:** 9–12 inches long with a 2-foot wingspan. Weighs 3–6 oz.
**Sexual Dimorphism:** Males have blue-gray wings; females are larger with rufous wings and more heavy breast streaking.
**Behavior:** One of the few raptors that can hover in place (kiting). They can see ultraviolet light to track rodent urine trails.
**Habitat:** Open country, meadows, and roadsides; they avoid dense timber.