Today's featured feathered friend is the American Kestrel. It is the most abundant member of the Falcon family and the smallest raptor in North America.
The American Kestrel is a strikingly beautiful bird. The female has a reddish-brown crown, back, wings and tail. She is white below with fine brown streaking. The male has a blue-gray crown and wings with a reddish-brown back and tail. He is white below with black spots. Both sexes have two dark vertical stripes on a white face. Unlike most raptor species, males and females are approximately the same length (9-10 inches) and have the same wingspan (22-23 inches). Like most raptors the female is larger than the male, roughly 20% larger (heavier).
During the winter months we see American Kestrels everywhere we go. We just can't seem to get the outstanding photos that we want. We spot them perched on a fencepost or a wire, but the moment the car begins to slow....they are gone. They tease us by moving a short distance ahead, only to fly off as we approach again, and on and on it goes.
Click on the links below for more information. Enjoy our best photos (we're still working hard to get better ones) of the elusive American Kestrel.....tweet.....tweet!!
 |
| American Kestrel (Male) (Taken 12/1/13, Englewood FL) |
 |
| American Kestrel (Female) (12/17/12, Laurel FL) |
 |
| American Kestrel (Male) (Taken 2/21/13, Punta Gorda FL) |
 |
| American Kestrel (Female) (Taken 3/2/13, south of Clewiston FL) |
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/id
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Kestrel
No comments:
Post a Comment