Robinsegg
The Hover
Photographed at Farmington Bay WMA, Utah
This Kestrel is exhibiting a behavior I rarely see. Several hunting techniques are used by the American Kestrel. It will hover over one spot, when prey is sighted the bird will partly fold its wings and drop lower once or several times before striking. When the prey disappears the falcon will glide in a semicircle before turning back into the wind to hover again. More often, the kestrel hunts from elevated perch sites, waiting for prey to move on the ground. The Kestrel bobs its head and pumps its tail just before attacking. I've seen this behavior numerous times with the bird returning to its perch with a meal. I shot this image shortly after taking the one below. The bird was unsuccessful in obtaining prey on this occasion.
The Hover
Photographed at Farmington Bay WMA, Utah
This Kestrel is exhibiting a behavior I rarely see. Several hunting techniques are used by the American Kestrel. It will hover over one spot, when prey is sighted the bird will partly fold its wings and drop lower once or several times before striking. When the prey disappears the falcon will glide in a semicircle before turning back into the wind to hover again. More often, the kestrel hunts from elevated perch sites, waiting for prey to move on the ground. The Kestrel bobs its head and pumps its tail just before attacking. I've seen this behavior numerous times with the bird returning to its perch with a meal. I shot this image shortly after taking the one below. The bird was unsuccessful in obtaining prey on this occasion.