Today I had another opportunity for photos. Got some but they are too far away. Did witness it hunting smaller birds flying over the field. Then later I was out on the terrace talking on the phone wit my Mom. Noticed a whole lotta turkey vultures gathering in a swirl in the sky-just circling like a tornado. There were a good 300 and they just kept gathering from the west. When it got to be about 500 they moved further east to gather with another couple thousand we saw off in the distance!! Couldnt believe it!!! Wish I could have got a picture for you Kathy!! Earlier in the year we were on our way to church. (our church building is in the middle of a field on the SW section of the Mojave Desert). A "dog" passed in front of us just on the property border of our church. Well it was a coyote and it had a turkey vulture in it's mouth!!! Thought it WAS a turkey at first. It was good to see the wild doing so well in it's natural surroundings!!! Have a great Friday. Love, Jules

The bird is not chubby. It's merely fluffing its feathers in cold weather. This is a very characteristic posture in winter. In an instant it can compress its feathers against the body and take on a sleek, aerodynamic form. We, too, are seeing a decline in kestrels in Ohio, totally from a lack of nest sites. Old rural buildings are being lost, and there are no large cavities in trees. The bird is ever more dependent on provided nest boxes. But one up (properly), and kestrels will come.

Breeding season is spring and early summer.

I never knew that any bird other than a hummer could do that. It's amazing to see. Thanks for confirming it for me. To see one of them - especially a male - would be the ultimate lifer for me. Thanks again, Debbie.