I wish birds would perch on rabbitbrush more often.
For as much rabbitbrush as we have around here I sure don’t see birds perched on it as often as I’d expect.. Rabbitbrush flowers sometimes stay yellow and attractive long after the snow falls so they’re a refreshing bit of color in an otherwise drab landscape but I have relatively few photos of birds perched on them.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
So naturally I was delighted when I found this handsome male kestrel perched on rabbitbrush along the Antelope Island causeway in late December a few years ago. He was puffed up in the cold and for part of the time he had his lower face snuggled down into his plumage so I couldn’t even see his bill but for this shot he briefly pulled it back up where I could see it.
It’s almost an oxymoron to think a little assassin like a kestrel could look cuddly but at the time he sure looked cuddly to me.
I love the colors of both bird and perch against the clean background. In the raptor world there’s nothing quite like a male kestrel on flowering rabbitbrush to brighten up an otherwise dull and colorless landscape.
Kestrels are in trouble in some areas of North America. Based on the North American Breeding Bird Survey there’s been a 51% decline in their numbers between 1966 and 2017 and anecdotally my observations of their numbers around here in recent years seem to agree with that trend.
But this fall and winter in my area their numbers seem to have increased noticeably so I’m hoping that’s evidence of a productive breeding season.
Ron
They are truly vbeautiful and your image does them justice. I have seen fewer kestrels here the past 3 years. We used to have three males on separate territories every winter. Last year there were none and only one the year before and also one this year. Ours seem to live on grasshoppers, anoles and dragonflies. I have seen them forage for insects on the ground like chickens.
I live in north central Washington State on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, about 20 miles south of the British Columbia Canadian border. We have LOTS of Kestrels here, as well as RTH, Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers. Kestrels are my nemesis raptor to photograph. I have hundreds, but not even one that I’d proudly post in a birding group. Still — I love these fierce little hunters and hope that some day I’ll catch a quick shot of one that satisfies. Thanks so much for your blog, photographs and “lessons” … I look forward to reading it each and every morning.
Beautiful shot Ron!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
“Cuddly Assassins” would be a great band name. He does look remarkably fluffy. Hoping that your anecdotal numbers are part of a larger trend!
Wouldn’t that be wonderful!
Sadly, I don’t see as many kestrals today in parks and open spaces near our urban/suburband area as I used to. I’ve been traveling to the prairie less often, so I’m not sure about further away from here.
Wonderful photo of the snuggly bird.
Nancy, I saw about a half dozen kestrels of both sexes on my long birding trip this morning. Too bad none of them were in a cooperative mood.
I love this photo Ron. I love photos of Kestrels. But, this one, with all it’s “cuddly” qualities, just can’t be beat.
Thanks very much, Bradley.
I love this photo! Yes, we use to have them living in out neighborhood. Now we mostly have Cooper’s hawks and in abundance. Did biologist ever decide why the decline in kestrels?
April, last time I read about it they still hadn’t nailed down the cause conclusively. I suspect there’s multiple causes.
Portrait of an assassin on his day off? Or more likely in a rare moment away from the job?
I am thrilled that their numbers seem to be increasing in your neck of the woods though. Long may it last.
EC, I just hope my observations and conclusion are correct.
Yep, sweet wouldn’t normally describe a murder bird, but I do think your fluffy friend here looks very sweet & cuddly atop the rabbitbrush. Kestrel colors are so gorgeous!
Chris, when I was looking at this bird through my lens it struck me that it was a contradiction to think of a kestrel as cuddly. But that’s the word that came to mind.
I’ve LOVED your photos of this male Kestrel (who’da thunk it? LOL!)! My guess is that you rarely see them so close to the ground because they can trade gravity for speed in attacking prey so the higher perch works better when they’re hunting.
I’m devastated that their numbers are declining so precipitously! But we humans are to blame. Habitat loss along with secondary poisoning of their prey base and go figure what’s happening!! Can you hear me screaming?
Laura, I think there’s two reasons they tend to perch high off the ground – the one you mention and they don’t like to be approached closely by humans so elevation gives them more distance from us..
Every time you publish one of your kestrel images, I think–of all of the
gorgeous birds in the world, the kestrel’s color harmony and contrasts
HAVE to be most beautiful of all of them–“assassin” or not. Thanks !
Kris, if kestrels aren’t the most beautiful of all I certainly think they’re the most colorful raptors we have. .
Ron – I wonder if the increased numbers of Kestrels are related to all the fires out West causing them to migrate to your areas?
I suppose it’s possible, Jo Ann.
Even assassins need love, professor. Probably more than most. 🙂
Probably…
Yes, we have often laughed at the “cuddly” little Kestrel also being a cold blooded killer on previous posts, but these little guys and gals sure are cute. I work with the Kestrel restoration folks here in Prescott and we have seen the numbers declining in spite of our efforts. I monitor two nesting boxes here that have never had a nesting pair. I live in hope that some spring one of the boxes will attract a pair, but so far nothing.
Good picture with him on that rabbitbrush. Is rabbitbrush the one that has that very strong odor in the spring or fall?
Yes Everett, rabbitbrush has a bad reputation for a bad smell but oddly enough I’ve never noticed it. A lot of folks, including a good friend of mine, are highly allergic to rabbitbrush pollen.