American Kestrel Potpourri
Several readers have said recently that they’d like to see occasional images from my archives. These American Kestrel photos are my attempt to deliver on that request.
Category: American Kestrels
My Christmas Morning Bird Tradition (and an update on Shannon)
Male American Kestrel – A Champion Poser
This male American Kestrel was such an enthusiastic poser that he performed for me for over six minutes.
Male American Kestrel (and a meadowlark with a death wish)
After all the time I’ve spent in the field watching and photographing birds and their behaviors I still occasionally see something that surprises me.
American Kestrel – An Unusual View Of The Alulae (bastard wings)
Recently I photographed a male American Kestrel in the middle of a wing-stretch and that pose really put his alulae on display.
Male American Kestrel Trying To Swallow A Frozen Tail
Back-To-Back American Kestrels – Male And Female With Prey
I got relatively close to two kestrels, a male and a female, both with prey, within four minutes. Miracles do happen…
American Kestrels As Reptile Hunters
Female Kestrel In Flight And Casting A Pellet
This female American Kestrel is the apparent mate to the male I posted two days ago.
Kestrel – You Never Know When You’ll Get A Nice Flight Shot (or 2)
Occasionally a situation with low potential can unexpectedly result in a nice flight shot, or even two.
Kestrel Cleaning And Honing Its Beak (and the importance of beak care)
Both wild raptors and those who care for captive birds must pay particular attention to beak health.
Kestrels Perch In The Oddest Places
American Kestrels are primarily perch-hunters and they’re quite flexible in their choice of perches.
Birds In A Christmas Morning Snowstorm
It’s been my Christmas tradition for years to spend part of the morning photographing birds. I usually have the place (wherever it might be) mostly to myself and personally I find communing with nature on Christmas morning to be quite appropriate and fulfilling. And yesterday’s snowstorm was pure delight.
The Function of Ocelli (false eyes) In Raptors
Some falcons, hawks and owls have two ocelli (eye-like patches or “false eyes”) on the back of their head. Their function may not be as presumed.
Southwest Montana Kestrels – A Status Update
American Kestrels have long been North America’s most abundant bird of prey but over recent decades their numbers have declined precipitously. For that reason I pay particular notice to kestrel numbers when I return to the same area year after year and because I spend so much time in southwest Montana that region is near the top of my “kestrel watching” areas.
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My Christmas Morning Bird Tradition (and an update on Shannon)
Male American Kestrel – A Champion Poser
This male American Kestrel was such an enthusiastic poser that he performed for me for over six minutes.
Male American Kestrel (and a meadowlark with a death wish)
After all the time I’ve spent in the field watching and photographing birds and their behaviors I still occasionally see something that surprises me.
American Kestrel – An Unusual View Of The Alulae (bastard wings)
Recently I photographed a male American Kestrel in the middle of a wing-stretch and that pose really put his alulae on display.
Male American Kestrel Trying To Swallow A Frozen Tail
Back-To-Back American Kestrels – Male And Female With Prey
I got relatively close to two kestrels, a male and a female, both with prey, within four minutes. Miracles do happen…
American Kestrels As Reptile Hunters
Female Kestrel In Flight And Casting A Pellet
This female American Kestrel is the apparent mate to the male I posted two days ago.
Kestrel – You Never Know When You’ll Get A Nice Flight Shot (or 2)
Occasionally a situation with low potential can unexpectedly result in a nice flight shot, or even two.
Kestrel Cleaning And Honing Its Beak (and the importance of beak care)
Both wild raptors and those who care for captive birds must pay particular attention to beak health.
Kestrels Perch In The Oddest Places
American Kestrels are primarily perch-hunters and they’re quite flexible in their choice of perches.
Birds In A Christmas Morning Snowstorm
It’s been my Christmas tradition for years to spend part of the morning photographing birds. I usually have the place (wherever it might be) mostly to myself and personally I find communing with nature on Christmas morning to be quite appropriate and fulfilling. And yesterday’s snowstorm was pure delight.
The Function of Ocelli (false eyes) In Raptors
Some falcons, hawks and owls have two ocelli (eye-like patches or “false eyes”) on the back of their head. Their function may not be as presumed.
Southwest Montana Kestrels – A Status Update
American Kestrels have long been North America’s most abundant bird of prey but over recent decades their numbers have declined precipitously. For that reason I pay particular notice to kestrel numbers when I return to the same area year after year and because I spend so much time in southwest Montana that region is near the top of my “kestrel watching” areas.