Carol DM
This bird only makes a rare appearance in my yard and he stays far away, usually in the top of my pines. He is looking for small prey. I managed to get this photo but you can barely see his silhouette. I could tell right away what he was, an American Kestrel. Maybe one day I can get closer to him.
The slender American Kestrel is roughly the size and shape of a Mourning Dove, although it has a larger head; longer, narrow wings; and long, square tipped tail. In flight, the wings are often bent and the wingtips swept back. American Kestrels usually snatch their victims from the ground, though some catch quarry on the wing. They are gracefully buoyant in flight, and are small enough to get tossed around in the wind.
Photo ©CarolDM2019
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Seen an American Kestrel before?
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Yes
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No
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What kind of things do these birds eat as prey?
Rabbits, small birds, field mice, etc.
Yikes, Carol, rabbits are pretty big! Yesterday when I was driving back through the mountains I pulled over to take some pictures of the snow and sound rabbit parts strewn around on the ground.
Gorgeous capture! I love birds of prey, but there has been one around my home lately and I am a bit worried for the small birds we are feeding.
I wish I could have gotten closer but he was in my yard and this is all I could do. So cool to see him.
It’s an amazing bird, but your knowledge of birds is also amazing.
I am always learning Albert and hope there is always something more to learn. Nature and wildlife fascinates me as you know.
Your learning spirit is truly extraordinary and it seems like I can feel your progress!
These birds do not live with us, so I have not seen it before … a beautiful picture dear friend
They are stunning, they usually stay at a distance. Thank you.
It does not seem good to give a positive answer
Not sure I understand Elenka.
I can’t tell the difference between a falcon, hawk or kestrel from a distance…
It is hard to tell from a distance and in flight they do look similar. I have binoculars that help.
that would certainly help, and I expect they’ve evolved some other identifiers that would help if I knew them…
A beautiful bird … I have not seen these birds before
Yes they are incredible to see even at a distance.