4/12/08

Sparrow Hawk? but not a hawk at all.


These birds are used in falconry, they are the smallest little warriors in the falcon family. Due to the prey they chase, I chose not to fly a kestrel until my 6th year as a falconer. I quickly learned that the hunting style of these adorable little birds is quite intense, and though they may not be as large as the normal falconry birds, their energy and vigor for the hunt easily rivals that of the larger species.

14 comments:

Dave Coulter said...

Kestrels are awesome. A lady I know who does bird rehab locally had a kestrel named 'Ra' who was a great favorite during volunteer work days!

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

I have not seen one of these beautiful birds. We have many shorebirds in my area. In fact, the endangered Red Knots will be making their brief appearance shortly. I will be sure to post photos once they arrive.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

BEAUTIFUL little guy...and a great picture! I love your Header picture, too...The Feathers are fantastic!

Sandy said...

Again, your photographs are amazing. I am a descendent of the Cherokee nation and I feel a connection with owls.

KOSTAS said...

Marvellous bird, with very beautiful colours!
Splendid post!

Stacey Olson said...

Thanks everyone. He really is a beautiful little guy. Great personality and a fierce warrior..

TimFromWales said...

These kestrel pics are beautiful. They look smaller than our kestrel in the UK..

Stacey Olson said...

Tim, Thanks for stopping by. I believe that you are correct and they are smaller, but i will have to look it up to be sure. thanks.

Lana Gramlich said...

I love kestrels. So lovely. :)

Anonymous said...

How cool is all of that!
Wonderful to work with Birds like that!
Cheers, Klaus
P.S.: Your pics inspired my today's post!

Stacey Olson said...

Lana, thanks for stopping by!
**************
Klaus, thanks so much!

Aditya Rao said...

beautiful...
Your pictures with all those stories, are really moving!!

Unknown said...

Okay, just looked at this blog. I am not sure how I have missed this one on your list. I am surprised yet again.

Kartek said...

My coworker saw a red-tailed hawk with a live rabbit in the talons flying with a kestral chasing the red tail. The red-tail got so flustered it dropped the still alive rabbit. Funny stuff.