I heard a lot of squawking in the backyard yesterday morning. I saw two American kestrels at the top of a dead tree. I wondered what was going on, so got out my telephoto lens. It turned out the female was holding a lizard in her bill! The male was sitting nearby, making a lot of noise.
The noise continued and they kept turning their heads. American kestrels are our smallest falcons in North American, and also the most common. However, from 1966-2015, their population has decreased by 50% according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey (source).
Having such a good view of these kestrels was quite a treat! But it appeared that they weren't going to stay put. The female wanted more space. She flew to a nearby tree branch, lizard still in mouth.
She transferred the lizard to her talons. Now she was making some noise. I wish I knew what she was saying.
Then it was time to eat. She started by pulling off the head.
Then came some innards.
Yum, yum!
She took a little break from eating. The lizard's head is now completely gone.
She's getting ready for the next course.
And now there are just lizard legs and a tail visible from her bill.
Minor readjustment.
And now just the top of the tail is left.
All done!
Here's the male. I guess he will have to find his own breakfast.
We're hoping this pair will nest in or near our yard, as they've done the past several years.
1 comment:
Hi Gretchen,
Love the photos!! - Kevin
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