An American Kestrel family saga

The American Kestrel is one of my favorite birds; a fighter, a lover, one who hovers, a provider and a fierce competitor - what's not to love. The Kestrel is the smallest hawk and can be compared in size to a Robin, though a little more robust. The are exquisitely colored and have a fantastic "eyes in the back of their heads" feathering.

The story of "our" 2013 Kestrel family cannot be told in a single blog, so I'll space it out over a few. As you read the posts PLEASE keep your fingers crossed that our Kestrel box will be occupied again this summer. We've seen both males and females checking it out, it has fresh wood shavings ready for a new family.

I put up a Kestrel box a few years ago yet it went unoccupied for at least the first couple of years. It is in a prime location, plenty of voles to be had along a hillside that usually has southerly winds to aid the hunters.

In the spring of 2013 we spotted a male Kestrel hunting in the area - he quickly winged his way into a hover then stayed stationary while craning his neck looking for voles. In between sorties he landed on our wooden fence looked at me then gave me a good look at his faux face.

We started to get excited when we saw a pair of Kestrels in the area. The "lady" is on the right of the photo - she is holding a vole in her talon. Note the color and size differences; he has pretty slate blue wings, she is bigger and has pretty patterned wings.

Soon enough she took up residence in the box while he began his "vole delivery" service.

She received her delivery but flew off instead of eating in house

He began a vigorous delivery service

He even added horny toads to the menu

 

The male was very attentive throughout the month of May as the pair of Kestrels readied the box for their young.

More of the Kestrel family saga to follow.