Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758

American kestrel; Cernícalo

Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat. (Ed.10) no.1, p. 90.

Referred material. San Felipe I: Distal half of left tibiotarsus, MNHNCu 75.4758.

Description. The known specimen does not differ from Falco sparverius sparverioides Vigors, 1827, being smaller and less robust when compared with the nominative form F. s. sparverius Linnaeus, 1758 .

Comments. The American Kestrel is a common permanent resident in Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, and some cays, where it prefers habitats with open areas (Garrido & Kirkconnell 2011: 82). It has been previously registered for Cuban cave deposits (Jiménez Vázquez 1997; Suárez & Olson 2001a). As in Accipiter striatus fringilloides, remains of this kestrel of Cuba can be quickly distinguished from their continental equivalent by the smaller size.