Resting American Kestrel
by Robert Bales
Title
Resting American Kestrel
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Found the American Kestrel resting in a palm tree in our back yard.
North America's littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator,s fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male,s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place. Kestrels are declining in parts of their range; you can help them by putting up nest boxes.
American Kestrels are pale when seen from below and warm, rusty brown spotted with black above, with a black band near the tip of the tail. Males have slate-blue wings; female's wings are reddish brown. Both sexes have pairs of black vertical slashes on the sides of their pale faces sometimes called a mustache and a sideburn.
"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. When perched, kestrels often pump their tails as if they are trying to balance. The American kestrel hunts by hovering in the air with rapid wing beats or perching and scanning the ground for prey. Its diet typically consists of grasshoppers, lizards, mice, and small birds (e.g. sparrows). It nests in cavities in trees, cliffs, buildings, and other structures. The female lays three to seven eggs, which both sexes help to incubate. It is a common bird to be used in falconry, especially by beginners. Though not as aggressive a hunter as many other larger falcons, proper training and weight control by the falconer allows many kestrels to become effective hunters of birds in the size range of sparrows and starlings, with occasional success against birds up to approximately twice their own weight.
American Kestrels occupy habitats ranging from deserts and grasslands to alpine meadows. You're most likely to see them perching on telephone wires along roadsides, in open country with short vegetation and few trees.
Uploaded
November 25th, 2017
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Comments (26)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #15 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.....L/F/Tw
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Christopher for the nice information and the discussion!! Thanks for the LFTw!!
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group l/f/p
Donna Kennedy
Great shot of this elusive falcon Robert!!! I have never been able to catch one of these colorful birds of prey...F/L/T
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks c\Donna for the nice comment and the LFT!! They are fairly common around this area and my wife spotted this one!
Judi Dressler
Kestrels are one of my favorite birds, and this is a marvelous shot in a beautiful setting! F/L
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much Judi for the very nice comments and so glad you enjoyed the image!! Thanks for the FL!
Anita Faye
Robert, lovely American Kestrel capture! Featured on Poetic Poultry Group! https://fineartamerica.com/groups/poetic-poultry-.html
Don Columbus
Congratulations Robert, your work is Featured in "A Birding Group - Wings"! I invite you to place it in the group's "2017 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
William Tasker
This is a great capture of the male with its wonderful colors, Robert! You are so fortunate to have these in your back yard! Your beautiful image has been featured by Wild Birds Of The World, a nature photography group. L/F
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"