Dakota Reflections
American Kestrels
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Dad is looking for Prey!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Mom is Flying!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Mom is Getting Close to Landing!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Landing Gear (Legs and Feet) is Out!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Landed!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Dad has a Mouse!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Dad holds out the Mouse for Mom!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Dad gives the Mouse to Mom!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- June 10, 2020
"This is for You, My Love!" Photo of the Month for June 2020
This photo is one of my favorites, all time. I sat in my car, dumbfounded, as a I watched and photographed the male American Kestrel on the left fly to a tree and then give his mouse to his mate, on the right, who flew to the tree for this gift. I have witnessed parent animals feed their babies but I have never seen one adult bird give its food to another adult bird. Males American Kestrels do this during courting, nesting and when feeding babies. What a devoted couple!!
Mom has the Mouse!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Dad has a Cricket!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Mom has a Mouse!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
Mom Flying with a Mouse!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 10, 2020
The American Kestrel is one of the most beautiful falcons in North America. Its feather patterns of blues, reds, grays, browns, and blacks make this small bird of prey a real eye-catcher! Apart from their good looks, American Kestrels are also swift fliers with astounding aerobatic abilities. Kestrels, like a few other birds of prey, are very good at hovering. With the help of a good headwind, kestrels can flap their wings vigorously and maneuver their tail to stay in one spot, like a helicopter in mid-air, while searching the ground for prey. Though it is a small bird, the kestrel needs strength, agility, and stamina to maintain this static flight. As you may know, all birds of prey have amazing eyesight. Kestrels, like some other birds, can see ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye. This ability helps them find and catch prey. This does not mean that kestrels see animals that we don’t, but they do see rodents' urine trails, which reflect ultraviolet light. To a kestrel, these urine trails are like neon arrows pointing to their favorite restaurant. Kestrels might even set up a territory in an area with lots of urine trails because this means there are lots of tasty meals running around.
American Kestrels are found throughout most of North America, Central America, and South America. In their northern range, they are found in Canada and Alaska during the summer breeding season. As winter sets in, they head for warmer climes. Much of their prey hibernates or leaves during the cold winter months, so they must travel to where the food is. American Kestrels usually spend the winter south of the Canadian border and travel as far south as Panama and the Caribbean. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including tropical lowlands, deserts, urban areas, and agricultural fields. If there are sufficient perches like power lines and trees, good nesting cavities, and abundant prey, chances are kestrels will be there too.
American Kestrels feed mainly on insects, mice, voles, lizards, and snakes, making this bird a very good friend to farmers! Like the Barn Owl and many other birds of prey, American Kestrels help keep agricultural fields free of animals that might damage crops. When hunting, American Kestrels search for prey from a perch overlooking an open area or by hovering in the air. When a kestrel spots its prey, it plunges down, in what's called a stoop, to catch it. Kestrels usually capture their prey on the ground, though they can also take prey in the air. After catching their prey, kestrels will carry it up to a perch (such as a power line or fence post) from which they can comfortably eat. Being up high keeps them away from ground predators, though they still have to watch out for other birds that might attack them or steal their catch.
Like other falcons, kestrels don’t build their own nests. Instead, they lay their eggs in cavities in trees, cacti, and cliffs. They also nest in nesting boxes made by people or in crevices in buildings. It is important to note that even though kestrels nest in tree cavities, they are unable to make these cavities themselves. They rely on the work of other birds, such as woodpeckers, to provide them with good sites! In fact, an American Kestrel won’t nest unless it has a sufficient hole available in a tree, building, or nesting box. A lack of good nesting cavities limits this species' reproduction and population.
American Kestrels, like many birds of prey, are solitary, meaning they spend most of their time alone. The exception to this is during breeding season. The male and female spend a lot of time together during courtship and breeding and while raising young. During courtship, a male kestrel brings the female food.
Females usually lay four to six eggs that are white with brown spots. Both the male and female help incubate the eggs. When the adults incubate the eggs, they sit on them to keep them at the perfect temperature. This is important for the healthy development of the young chicks inside. After about 29 days, the young kestrels hatch.
While they are growing, kestrels chicks eat about two times more than the adults do – consuming two or three mice a day! About 28-31 days after hatching, the chicks are grown and ready to take their first flight. For any bird, the first flights are the most precarious. They leave the nest and, though their parents are still around to protect them, young inexperienced birds can get into a lot of trouble. They have to learn to recognize and evade predators and they can be injured or killed when they fly into windows, are hit by cars, or become tangled up in barbed wire fences. American Kestrels are able to reproduce as early as 1 year of age.
https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/falcons/american-kestrel
Dad has a Mouse and is Calling for Mom!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is coming to get the Mouse!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is getting Close to the Mouse!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Dad has a Grasshopper!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is Getting the Grasshopper!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom has the Grasshopper!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom has the Grasshopper in her Talons!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom the Grasshopper to the Nest!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
The Parents- Dad on the Left and Mom on the Right!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
The Parents- Dad on the Left and Mom on the Right!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Dad has Another Grasshopper!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is Getting the Grasshopper!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom has the Grasshopper!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Dad is Flying off to Catch More Food!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is Flying to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is Looking into the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is Guarding the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Mom is Going into the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Tight Fit!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 11, 2020
Dad with a Mouse!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 12, 2020
Dad!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 12, 2020
Mom looking out of the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 12, 2020
Mom leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 12, 2020
Mom Flying Away to Find more Food!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 12, 2020
Mom leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 12, 2020
Mom entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom bringing Food to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom bringing Food to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom bringing Food to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom bringing Food to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Mom Guarding and Bringing Food to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 14, 2020
Flying to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Flying to the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Flying with a Mouse!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Flying to the Nest with an Insect!
Tail Feathers Spread to Slow Down Prior to Landing!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Landing!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Insect for her Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Mouse for her Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Landing!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Insect for her Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- June 20, 2020
Mouse for her Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Hovering!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 20, 2020
Majestic!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Flying!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Got an Itch!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
My Ear Itches!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Take Off!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Keeping Balance!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Ready for Take Off!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Take Off!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Hopping!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Food for Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Food for Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 28, 2020
Calling to her Babies in the Nest Below!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Magestic!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Looking at his Babies in the Nest Below!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Flying Away to Find Food for his Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Bringing home a Mouse for his Babies!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Dad Leaving the Nest to Find More Food!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Baby Boy Calling for his Parents!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Baby Calling for his Parents!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Mom Flying Out to Find Food!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Baby Girl Calling for her Parents!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
I am Hungry. Please get me More Food!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Mom found an Insect!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Baby Grabbed the Insect!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Dad found a Dragonfly for his Baby!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Look at Mom's Tongue!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Traffic Jam!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Traffic Jam!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 2, 2020
Facing the Easterly Strong Wind!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Mom is Flying!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Dad is Leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Baby Girl is Looking for her Parents!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Still Looking!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Still Looking!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Here Comes Dad with a Dragonfly!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Here Comes Dad with a Dragonfly!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Baby Girl is Still Hungry!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Dad has a Dragonfly for his Daughter!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Mom has Taken Off!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Mom is Flying By!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Baby Boy is Hungry!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Mom has a Grasshopper!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Mom is Feeding her Baby Boy!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Mom is Taking Off Again!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Here Comes Dad with a Grasshopper!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Dad Entering the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Dad Leaving the Nest!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Baby Boy is Looking for His Parents!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Baby Boy is Calling for His Parents!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Dad has Food for his Baby Boy!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Baby Boy has Lunch!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Mom is Feeding her Baby!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- July 3, 2020
Photo of the Year for 2020!
Baby has Food!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Dad has More Food!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Dad is On the Move!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Busy Dad Brings in More Food!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
I am Still Hungry!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 3, 2020
Where are my Parents?
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 4, 2020
What Time is Lunch?
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 4, 2020
Baby Girl Landing!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Siblings!
American Kestels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
On Alert!
American Kestels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Majestic!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Got an Itch!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Grooming!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Calling before Chasing Away a Golden Eagle!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Flying and Calling before Chasing Away a Golden Eagle!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Mom Feeding Daughter!
American Kestels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- July 11, 2020
Mom Feeding Daughter!
American Kestels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Mom Fed Baby Daughter!
American Kestels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Mom Fed Baby Daughter!
American Kestels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Flyby!
American Kestel and Northern Flicker
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 11, 2020
Coming in for a Landing!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Landed!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Balancing!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Magestic!
American Kestel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
2021 Photos
Together!
American Kestrels
Burleigh County, just west of Moffit, North Dakota
April 24, 2021
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 4, 2021
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 4, 2021
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 4, 2021
Magpie is upset that male Kestrel has caught a Western Kingbird!
American Kestrel and Black-billed Magpie
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 4, 2021
Breakfast!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 4, 2021
Dad is Coming In, Mom has a Mouse!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 5, 2021
Dad is Coming In, Mom is Leaving!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 5, 2021
Dad is Coming In, Mom has Left!
American Kestrels
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 5, 2021
Mom with a Mouse!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 5, 2021
Pink Tongue!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 5, 2021
Magestic Mom!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 5, 2021
Sharp Claws!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
June 5, 2021
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 17, 2022
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 17, 2022
Meal Delivery!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day July 10, 2022
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 10, 2022
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 10, 2022
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 10, 2022
Bug Breakfast!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- September 4, 2022
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
September 9, 2022
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
September 9, 2022
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
September 9, 2022
Evening Meal!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- September 16, 2022
Stretching!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- September 17, 2022
Flight Photo!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
September 25, 2022
2023 Photos
American Kestrel
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 10, 2023
On the Fly!
Staying on top of 2 feet of snow!
American Kestrel
Burleigh County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- April 10, 2023
Photo of the Month- April 2023
American Kestrel
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 10, 2023
American Kestrel
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 10, 2023
American Kestrel
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 10, 2023
American Kestrel
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 10, 2023
American Kestrel
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 10, 2023
On the Hunt!
Diet Consists of Insect, Mice and Voles!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- April 6, 2024
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
April 6, 2024
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
April 6, 2024
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
April 6, 2024
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
April 6, 2024
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
April 6, 2024
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
April 11, 2024
Soaring By!
Graceful Flyer!
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- April 12, 2024
American Kestrel
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
April 9, 2024