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American kestrel photo

21 years ago

As I was driving out of work for lunch, spotted this fluffed-up guy and got a quick photo. We have a lot of these here in eastern Iowa. Since it was an overcast day, I had to do a considerable amount of work to lighten up the picture. I think it turned out pretty well considering the less than ideal lighting conditions.

Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel ,Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

1/1000s f/8.0 at 400.0mm iso200 handheld

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Comments (9)

greenfreak
21 years ago
WOW, great photo! I've always loved pics of Kestrels, they're so interesting to me. Thanks!
daves_world
21 years ago
I have yet to get a picture of a kestrel, you are so lucky.
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American Kestrel
Q
Comments (4)
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
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Beautiful blues,..i would find it hard to pick a number one,..they are all exquisite,..and i love blue,..thank you for sharing. Philip
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Kestrels are nesting in my gutter in Chicago!
Q
Comments (5)
Yeah, the body parts can get to most people : ( Most raptors return to the same area, and many to the same nest site. But: I don't know about kestrels! Here's the thing: Someone will use that cavity, so it's a good idea to close it off after the bebes fledge. I am a bit confused by your last observation. American kestrels that are "immature" look pretty much like mature birds. You'd have to get a close look to see if they are really immature. You know, American kestrel populations have taken a hit recently, and I think it's because of poison (they are big insect eaters, and so suffer from secondary poisoning) and decline of suitable habitat and nest sites. I worked at a wild bird rehab center for over 10 years, and we noticed that many of the kestrel chicks we got were from cities, which was encouraging and rather startling, as these are birds that depend on grasslands for hunting. Here is a link that might be useful: AK info
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is this an american kestrel?
Q
Comments (6)
colors are vague but consistent for that of a kestrel as is the area (suburban/powerline)
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gymell
Original Author
21 years ago
There are a lot of kestrels here, I see at least one almost every day. Iowa has a nest box program where they put nest boxes on the back of interstate signs. I suppose that has contributed to their increased numbers.

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/tools/kestrel/iowa.htm
jphillipobrien
21 years ago
great pic and great info...these birds have been declining in population here in the east....that nestbox program is awesome!
Gaviota
21 years ago
Thats one chubby, happy 'lil male Kestrel. Kickin' back with one foot up.
John_Blakeman
21 years ago
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.
gymell
Original Author
21 years ago
Yes, it was a cold February day so he was just keeping warm. Kestrels are quite abundant here because of the nest box program I mentioned above. John, maybe you should check into establishing a program in your area, there is information here:

Establishing Your Interstate Highway Nest Box Program for American Kestrels

All it takes is for someone to step up and get the program going.
fairy_toadmother
21 years ago
i love how the photo shows the "spots" on the feathers!
craig76
15 years ago
Great picture.

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