Tag Archives: small falcon

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Craig Tooley always has his camera with him, so he was able to take a quick photo of a Merlin lifting off from a tree.

Merlins are small, fierce falcons. They prey on small birds. They were impacted by the pesticide DDT, but they have recovered since DDT was banned. Fun Fact: Merlins don't build their own nests. They take over an old nest built by other raptors. Here is a link to hear their calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin/sounds

Thanks to Craig for allowing  me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com

It's hard to believe, but we have a winter-like series of storms coming in for Wednesday and Thursday. Wow!

Ron LeValley had this male American Kestrel pose for him.

Male American Kestrel by Ron LeValleyHere's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about these small falcons:

"North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place. Kestrels are declining in parts of their range; you can help them by putting up nest boxes."

To hear the call of a Kestrel, here's the link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Ron LeValley for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Ron's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/

That's what Craig Tooley theorizes! Craig photographed this American Kestrel in a unique pose.

This small falcon eats insects, snatching them out of the air. Am. Kestrels are year round residents on the Mendonoma Coast.

To hear the call of this bird, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: ruffimage.com