Raptor Wednesday

It seems like there are American Kestrels everywhere. But how many? Without banding or electronic tracking, I can’t say for sure. But:

There were three individual males, a new record, seen together from the windows here recently. There was much tail-pumping amongst the trio as they perched near each other on building and tree.

The male pictured above may have been the same one that dive-bombed a perched Cooper’s Hawk the same morning this picture was taken. The Cooper’s was unmoved. (Picture from before the breaking news.)

Over in Green-Wood, fifteen blocks away, more small falcon activity. Two separate males have been spied within a short distance from each other on several occasions. A male and female have now been seen together atop the main entrance to Green-Wood twice, four days apart. The female has perched on top of the lighting rod each time. During the second sighting, a Merlin was perched nearby on a tall pine.This male kestrel was spotted plucking and eating some songbird prey.