Ambassador Animal Pancho, the American Kestrel was looking exceptionally fluffy and orange in the morning sunlight. Male American Kestrels are some of the most colorful North American raptors, and Pancho wears his colors quite well. Come visit Pancho and our other Ambassador Animals this weekend at the New Mexico Wildlife Center, 19 Wheat Street, Espanola. We are open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) you can catch an Animal Encounter program at 11 a.m. here at NMWC! Photo Courtesy NMWC

Check out the long wings and tail on Ambassador Animal Amelia! Amelia is an American Kestrel, the smallest falcon species in North America. Falcons’ long, pointed wings give them the ability to fly very quickly and acrobatically in pursuit of their prey, especially flying prey like insects and songbirds. As for Amelia’s long tail, those feathers act like a powerful rudder, giving her the ability to change directions quickly in midair and navigate through tight spaces. American Kestrels can also hover in place while flying, using very precise movements of their wings and fanning out those tail feathers to stay aloft before zooming down to dive after prey! To see ways to support the Wildlife Center, go to https://newmexicowildlifecenter.org/support-us/ Photo Courtesy NMWC