I saw this very interesting-looking bird on the deck railing a couple of times yesterday. It even flew to the top of the finch feeder once, like it was looking for something to eat. I'd never seen anything like it before. Of course I grabbed the camera, but the pics I got aren't very clear because I didn't dare get very close to the window.
It gave me some pretty good views...
... and even turned around once so I could get a shot of its back and wings.
(Click any photo to enlarge.)
Now Dale probably knows right off the bat what it is. He knows his birds! I, on the other hand, had to do some searching. I paged through my bird book, but I didn't see anything that I thought really looked like it. However, I hadn't yet loaded the pics onto my computer. After doing that, I got a much better look. Then I went to my favorite bird-identifying site, Whatbird.com. There you can search by all kinds of criteria such as shape, size, color, bill shape, etc., and gradually narrow it down until you identify your bird.
My bird turned out to be a female American Kestrel, which is a type of falcon. How 'bout that... a falcon on my deck railing! I think it's pretty cool! And cooler yet is the fact that I happened to SEE it, and even cooler YET that I managed to get photos of it!
13 comments:
How cool!
He is cute! Good eye, Mum!
How's your winter storm coming along?
"He" is a SHE, Jess... you read too fast again. ;)
Our winter storm is coming right along, unfortunately. I can't see out the kitchen windows because they're iced over, and it's still coming down. Ugh. I can't believe school is still on.
Update: School is closing at 10:00. Ground is turning white with sleet. Many small icy branches down off the trees, as it's very windy.
Guess it ain't spring yet. :(
SHE's so cute! I always thought falcons were, I dunno... birds of prey and therefore scary-looking and all, but this one is adorable and fluffy and lovely (until they start devouring small creatures, I guess).
Um, yes. I meant she. My apologies to the bird.
Did you notice an absence of other birds while your falcon friend was visiting?
No, I didn't notice, Kris. But I don't think this little falcon would've been much of a threat... she wasn't much bigger than a robin. :)
You were right, I did know immediately.
Kestrels or Sparrow Hawks are really cool birds.
As someone else said, they prey on other smaller birds but also on mice and voles.
They can really hover well when hunting mice.
I like their cool mask.
Dale
Thanks, Dale. I almost emailed you the photo first to identify it for me, but I figured I'd give it a try myself first. I like the color of the males, too. I wonder why I'd never seen (or even heard of) these before!
So interesting that she is part of the falcon family! Wow, I can't believe your weather. We are having unseasonably warm weather...
Thursday evening Courtney's Dad and Mom came to pick her up and to deliver us a hot meal from Pizza Ranch. Our power went out early Tuesday afternoon. We were sitting eating and a bird just like this one flew into our kitchen picture window and fell to the cememt below. One of our cats had it in it's mouth in a split second. The cat was so proud of his catch he paraded around the paito showing off to the other cats and then finally ran off to enjoy the catch alone. Poor little birdie. Before we were done eating the school texted a message that school for Friday was cancelled so Courtney got to stay over another night and enjoy our powerless living style. We had fun camping out in front of the fireplace for most of 4 days. Hope to see more of those cute little birds and more signs of the promised Spring to come.
Wow, Grace... what a time this crazy weather has created for so many! Sure makes a person appreciate the luxury of electricity, doesn't it? I'm glad Courtney enjoyed "pioneer life" with you. And more glad that you have your power back!
I hope that wasn't my birdie! Poor thing! Ahh... nature!!
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