American Kestral #1
by Elizabeth Winter
Title
American Kestral #1
Artist
Elizabeth Winter
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Another name for the kestrel is the sparrow hawk, although birds are not a main prey item.
Kestrels have a habit of pumping their tail feathers up and down when perched, especially after landing. They are known for their rapid flight and have been recorded to fly between 22 and 39 m.p.h.
Kestrels are quite vocal. Their call is a loud, repeated "killy, killy killy" when they are excited or alarmed.
American kestrels do not need to drink free-standing water. They get all the water they need from the moisture of their prey.
Some of the predators that hunt kestrels are great-horned owls and red-tailed hawks. Other predators that have been known to attack raptors include coyotes, bobcats, skunks, raccoons, crows, and ravens.
Populations of the larger Cooper's hawk increased throughout northeastern North America from 1976-2003, and studies at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, in Pennsylvania, and elsewhere have suggested this species preys on kestrels.
Kestrels are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 26-92 and Sec. 26-311 (threatened and endangered species legislation).
Uploaded
November 11th, 2018
Embed
Share
Comments (15)
Laura D Young
I love kestrels but I have never been able to capture one. Such a lovely image. Great work! l/f
Recently Viewed
