American Kestrel
by Kathy Kelly
Title
American Kestrel
Artist
Kathy Kelly
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Photographed in Kentucky, this female Kestrel sits on an exposed perch in the Land Between the Lakes region. Kestrels are the smallest and most common falcon in North America and are often incorrectly called "sparrow hawks." They have the long, swept back wings that are typical of falcons, allowing them to be very maneuverable in the air.
They eat snakes, lizards, bats, smaller birds, mice, voles, and insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas and dragonflies. They like exposed perches such as telephone poles, wires, fence posts, and dead branches on trees. They are swift, erratic fliers, and in a flat flight they may travel at up to 39 mph, and can dive at speeds up to 60 mph.
The male has a rufous belly and tail, while the female has stripes on her belly and tail. The black spots on the nape of their neck are called "false eyes" and they are thought to be protective coloration. The "eyes" deter predators by making it appear that the Kestrel is watching them at all times.
This piece has been featured in the following FAA Groups:
Poetric Poultry
Wild Birds of the World
FAA Portraits - Birds
Uploaded
April 2nd, 2017
Statistics
Viewed 412 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 03/28/2024 at 2:50 PM
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Comments (7)
Linaji Creating
Would LOVE this in - All Genre of Photography .. Our Latest Gallery: https://fineartamerica.com/groups/all-genre-of-photography-.html?showmessage=true&messageid=6537041
William Tasker
Amazing closeup, Kathy! Your beautiful image has been featured by Wild Birds Of The World. L/F
Anita Faye
Kathy, fabulous Kestrel capture! Featured on Poetic Poultry Group! https://fineartamerica.com/groups/poetic-poultry-.html