Backyard visitor. Grabbed my tele and got a few pics before he flew away. I think that's a bird he's chewing on. The feet are definitely bird feet.
npwrc
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
"The American kestrel, nick-named the "sparrow hawk", is the smallest and most common of the falcons found in North Dakota."
"The American kestrel can be seen throughout North Dakota from April until late September."
Hmmm... late in the season already.
npwrc2
Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons of North Dakota
Lists 4 Falcons - Family Falconidae
1. Prairie Falcon
2. Merlin
3. American Kestrel
4. Peregrine Falcon
npwrc3
How to Distinguish Between Raptor Species (See pics at link.)
"Falcons have long, slim wings which taper to pointed tips. In flight the wings angle back at the wrists and wing beats are rapid. Falcon bodies are sleek; they have very round heads and long, narrow tails. Most falcons have noticeable patterns on their faces, such as the two cheek "sideburns" of the kestrel."
enature
"A jay-sized falcon..." (Sounds about right.)
"Adult male has slate-blue wings. Female has rusty wings and back, narrow bands on tail."
I sure didn't see any blue color. Must be a female.
Cornell
1 comment:
wow cool thanks i saw my first male North American kestrel up close today 10-15 feet from me inside spying through the window it crashed in to the planter swooping fast to catch a mouse or vole or something then proceeded to sacrifice it for a meal it flew away with.
Post a Comment