The Perch List

This bare knob of an upright branch at the top of an otherwise leafy London Plane has been the #BrooklynKestrels’ spot for months now. Both male and female have perched here half the year.On occasions, other birds have been spotted on it, too. Starlings and Mourning Doves are somewhat regular. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was quite a surprise. So was a male Northern Cardinal, since this bird usually stays in the backyards of the houses across the street. A Common Grackle announced itself up there, and was promptly chased off by the male Kestrel.And the bird in our trio of pictures: an Eastern Kingbird.

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Here’s the always trenchant Katha Pollitt on civility vs. fascism.