American kestrel in flight
Wild American kestrel (Falco sparverius) in flight, stooping from left to right (Taken at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, 5 miles southwest of Columbia, Missouri).
Perhaps the most colorful raptor in the world, the American Kestrel is the most common falcon in North America. It is found from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, and in towns as well as wild lands. Identifying marks inlcude small size, rufous back and tail, and two dark mustache marks on face. Male has blue-gray wings and a lightly spotted chest and belly. The larger female has rufous wings barred with black, and streaking on the chest. This particular bird is a female. Their call is a loud series of “klee-klee-klee” notes when excited. As with many other raptors in North America, their population n umbers dramatically declined in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but have increased greatly in recent decades with increasing deforestation of North America. They are aslo commonly called Sparrow hawk. Although hover-hunting is conspicuous, this foraging method actually is used rather infrequently. It is used most often when suitable perches are not available, or when winds are strong enough to create updrafts favorable to hovering. In winter in many southern parts of the range, female and male American Kestrels use different habitats. The female uses the preferred more open habitat, and the male uses areas with more trees. This situation appears to be the result of the females migrating south first and establishing winter territories. The males then are forced into the less preferred areas. Nestling kestrels back up, raise their tails, and squirt feces onto the walls of the nest cavity. The feces dry on the cavity walls and stay off the nestlings. The nest gets to be a smelly place, with feces on the walls and uneaten parts of small animals on the floor.
Source used to construct this page:
Smallwood, J. A., and D. M. Bird. 2002. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). In The Birds of North America, No. 602 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
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bamagirl38
This is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!
Daniel J. McCa...
Super capture, Mundy! Brilliant work!!
Krys Bailey
Amazing timing and detail, Mundy! But I wouldn’t expect anything less from you! Superb capture!
Christopher E...
excellent shot, perfect focus!!
salsbells69
Superb capture Mundy. Welcome back :))
photosbylefty
wow Mundy, absolutely a perfect shot, bhrilliant capture
naturelover
Gosh you’re good! what’s the secret? brilliant capture!
Mundy Hackett replied
Thank you Naturelover, but for this one real nice image there were at least several weeks worth of futility and hundreds of not quite, blurry, and oops images that were just awful. Birds in flight of any kind are very tough to get, and I am sure my fellow wildlife photographers out there know how skittish and quick to fly these tiny raptors can be, so it is a combination of proper placement of the light, patience, luck, preparation, luck, practice, practice,practice, and oh some luck! I love these birds, they are one of my two favorites, the Belted kingfisher being the other one. I have still yet to get even a nice closeup perched shot of one of those, but someday. Thank you all for commenting and looking.
Carisma
Mundy I always love your “in-flight” captures !! This one is really marvellous !!
Rpnzle
Wonderful Catch! Thanks for the close up!
brian pendrey
stunning in flight shot
mingtees
beautiful shot. appreciate the wildlife lecture and info with it too.
Mar Silva
What a beautiful image. Great timing. Lucky you :)
monica palermo
Wow!
naturelover
Great-you have made me feel a whole lot better- thought it was only me that took 50 to get 1 ‘nearly made it’ -lol. NLx
Mundy Hackett replied
No, no, not at all. I would consider myself a very advanced amateur as a wildlife photographer, but there is so much in terms of technique and certain technical skills with a camera that I am continuously improving upon. Nevertheless, I have gotten to the place where I am at least honest with myself about my work, and about what is a keeper and what is not. It is amazing how fine the line is, but how hard it was over the years to be more critical of my own work to improve. I would say that honestly when I go someplace to shoot wildlife, I would be pleasantly surprised if I keep 1 out of every 2-300 images, and many times I will not keep any! I have even gone out sometimes and realized that the light was not right or something else just made me realize that I would be unable to get the shot I wanted, and I will not even photograph but rather just enjoy the surroundings and animals. That too took a long time to learn. It is a lifelong process and I like all of you never stop trying to improve or learn more. There is always someone else out there with something to teach us and help us grow both in our technique but also in our vision.
Lori Peters
An incredible picture, Mundy. Birds are difficult to photograph so this is even better. Great details, colors, and composition. You have been sending us some great work from Columbia, Mo. I grew up close to there. You are taking me home again.
Squealia
Beautiful sharp image, love the capture as he drops his wing to change direction as he heads towards whatever he has spotted…. brilliant.
EdgeOfReality
Great detail and colour, especially as the kestrel is obviously on the move. A beautiful capture.
jude walton
Gorgeous shot – well worth your wait to get it!
krafty
FANTASIC…Mundy you have captured this American Kestrel in flight absolutely perfectly.
Brilliant shot from an awesome photographer…a masterpiece IMHO.
Bravo Hun, the description added to it just opens up a whole new world to people.Thankyou for sharing this beauty.
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Jim Caldwell
Great shot, Mundy
Gregg Williams
This is outstanding, probaly a once in a life time shot of this small raptore.
Gregg Williams
Glad to see you posting again.
Jennifer Woodward
So happy to see more work from you, Mundy. Thanks for sharing this wonderful kestrel shot :-)
ECGardner
Amazing capture Mundy in every way. I’m glad to see you posting. :)
Chrystal Ferreira
wow, this is such a beautiful capture, a difficult task to achieve, and u achieved it perfectly, wonderful detail, so sharp.
eseffpe
OH WOW!!! fantastic!!!!!
bmckain
Fantastic shot of this bird. I really like these guys and they aren’t easy to get. Well done!
gothgirl
What can I say, this is perfect
Gary L. Suddath
stunning shot,great catchlight and info on the subject…....from one who has both hunted wildlife and photographed it,it is far more harder to shoot wildlife, that truely live in the wild,with a camera than with a gun.In fact even archery hunting doesn’t compare with the skills needed.To shoot with a bow the light or way the subject faces doesn’t matter.With a camera everything matters….but with both spending hours,days and weeks trying to capture your subject leaves you much time for comtimplation on life and the world around us.This to me is the essence of the trip, the captureing of the subject 2ad.
WayoftheWarrior
Perfection, it truly is!
redhawk
That is the most beautiful shot I have seen in a long time. Instant FAV
Walter Colvin
Great shot Mundy
Mar Silva
Hey Mundy you are on page one of the popular page :)
Optimalxpozure
Mundy, awesome work I would love to see this in My Group
Brilliant capture :)
Cheri McEachin
Oh wow I just love this, this is picture perfect
AngelaFoster
amazing capture and composition
Kasia Nowak
Great composition and timing
raptrlvr
Absolutely awesome.
Marvin Collins
Perfect shot, I do know how hard it is to get one like his. I am constantly striving for these kinds of shots and like you said it may take weeks or longer to get these. Excellent!!
pat oubridge
This has gone into my faves Mundy, it is beautifully captured and a joy to look at
A90Six
Invredible capture! Give yourself a pat on the back from me! Tony.
Andy Mueller
Good to see you posting again, Mundy, and what a fantastic shot this is ….
Che01
Great shot. American Kestrels are so different, but no less beautiful, than ours. Are yours as fond of telegraph lines as the European kestrel?
Mundy Hackett replied
Che they look rather different in plumage but I believe they are otherwise most similar including a penchant for telegraph lines!
Joyce Dickens,...
This is superb Mundy; makes me smile to see this majestic bird in flight; awesome, beautiful work!!!
David Meacham
Must have been in a hell of a big cage Mundy :-)
Great shot dude
mjphotos
Absolutely stunning capture…
AngelPhotozzz
Wow Mundy Awsome as usual! And glad to see you are still here! Cheers! = ]
jaycee
What a sensational shot of this bird :)
Rhonda Thomassen
Beautiful…glad to see you are posting agian :-)
StacyLee
Really great shot Mundy :) Talented you are!
Mundy Hackett replied
Stacy where have you been my dear? Thank you for looking and commenting!
turtlepath
An amazibg shot, its all been said! But it is great work, I am glad you said that about all the images you take to get that one great one! I can honestly say I have maybe 5 really great images and I am taking pictures all the time! There is always so much to learn!
turtlepath
An amazibg shot, its all been said! But it is great work, I am glad you said that about all the images you take to get that one great one! I can honestly say I have maybe 5 really great images and I am taking pictures all the time! There is always so much to learn!
Julie Langford
Stunning shot Mundy [hadnt noticed this being posted]. Beautiful detial and focus, with great sense of power and movement.
I know what you mean about raptors being hard to photograph. I have not much opportunity for wildlife shots where I live, but caught some raptors flying wild one day. I have about 30 shots of them – not one in focus -ppffftttt
Cheryl Ridge
Mundy, this is a great capture! Is this the same bird that appears on the cover of your book?
I was just putting in an order with Amazon and came across your book there so one is
winging its way to me!
Mundy Hackett replied
Indeed it is the very same one Cheryl! You know what they say, make hay while the sun shines! I may never get another one as good as this one, but I will keep trying to get one better!
eaglewatcher
stunning shot—beautiful shot
Jenifer
Beautiful shot!
Mundy Hackett replied
Jenifer you show-off! Thank you!
chasingsooz
Mundy … you make it look so easy .. and yet a bird in flight is soooo difficult to capture.
You truly are the master of the craft. :-)
Mundy Hackett replied
Sooz if only it were easy! Thank you so much!
Danielle Daven...
Mundy.. thats a great photo.. your such an inspiration!
Mundy Hackett replied
Thank you Danielle, I am happy you like it.
Gary L. Suddath
Didn’t know about the book congrats on that too.
Mundy Hackett
Thanks Gary, it has been a real nice feather in the cap for someone who wasn’t looking for it. But you know what they say, the best things in life seem to come around when you aren’t bothering to look for them!
Gerguppy
Beautifully captured. Really elegance in motion.
Marianne Vene...
Excellent shot Mundy, perfect!
RockyWalley
Beautiful capture Mundy…
jlynn
Incredible capture!! Beautiful!!
Antoine Dagobert
Welcome back mate..A wow shot mate!
AlteredIllusions
Beautiful shot of a fascinating raptor.
Elana Bailey
Fab action shot of this fine bird in mid flight. Well done.
connie campbell
JUST GORGEOUS….Great Capture….
louisegreen
fabulous shot
Linda Syms
Brilliant just love it.
Antanas
perfect
Charl045
OH MY!...took forever to scroll down here..LOL YOU HAVE BEEN MISSED! What a wonderful clear crisp capture! Excellent job! And I have to disagree with you all the way up at the top there where you said ” I would consider myself a very advanced amateur as a wildlife photographer” Sorry I beg to differ, you are more then amateur in my book! Good to see you posting again! xoxo
Pat Abbott
This is stunning!
SkyFox
A true stunner! Good to hear from you!
StacyLee
LOL Mundy, I’m stuck in an office all week instead of the bubble. But I check in occasionally :) Always look forward to work by you!
BuddyH
Magnificant, Mundy!!!
PPPhotoArt
asolutely killer shot, instant fave of a most amazing bird of prey just perfect with an excellent commentary for which i truly thank you .. P
Solomon Walker
excellent take!
Gary L. Suddath
I’m glad to see this on the 1st page of the 7 day popular pages my friend,your outstanding work deserves it
Mundy Hackett
Thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy days to look at my work and to comment. It is really important to me to try and provide you with good quality wildlife photography that also has a story and is more than just a passing snapshot.
Geir Floede
So very beautiful.
I love the diagonal compotion of this pic..
Keep up the great work.
Susan Epps Oliver
Beautiful bird and perfectly positioned within the frame :)
cherokee
fabulous
Bahoke
Excellent capture!!
Gracey
Stunning job.
ajax
Beautiful raptor the markings are so clear.My fav is the wedge tail.I had one land about 10 metres from me, no I did’nt have a camera.If I did I would’nt have got a shot as I was too gobsmacked!!!! Thanks for posting again {>:
ajax
Beautiful raptor the markings are so clear.My fav is the wedge tail.I had one land about 10 metres from me, no I did’nt have a camera.If I did I would’nt have got a shot as I was too gobsmacked!!!! Thanks for posting again {>:
kellyjomitchell
the details are amazing! i have managed to catch birds in flight a few times out of pure luck – i am constantly amazed at the amount of patience it takes those of you who pursue this fascinating avenue of photography. gorgeous work!
Steve Bulford
You just keep them coming mate don’t you!
Great capture and shot. Keep up the good work.!!!
khosie
Beautiful capture!
WesternDreamer
These birds do SO fascinate me… this is an incredible stop action capture!!
binjy
Perfect :)) I love the look of raptors!
beautifully done, Mundy
Jeff Burns
amazing shot breathtaking work
Franklin Lindsey
Hi Mundy! I just came across this wonder capture of yours, forgot how you could turn out those lovely birds I so love. Nice capture. I have yet to get that in flight picture of one of these creatures….great job
tomryan
BRAVO!
Excellent work…Sharp bird with beautiful feather detail! I love this wing position, and the portrait format is a perfect.
DawsonImages
Super timing
Steve Bulford
Congrats on the Home Page mate!
Carisma
It deserved fully the homepage!!! Great work Mundy!!
Joanne Bradley
Excellent capture! Congrats on homepage feature!
De 'Raj Rollins
I tried catching a shot like this once. Great job
Pat Moore
Magnificent capture, congratulations on Home Page Mundy!!!!!!!!!!
Lance Leopold
Wonderful bird and shot,well done!!!
Jonathan Cohen
Very, very, impressive.
Phillip Simmons
beautiful capture
ECGardner
Way to go on the homepage feature, Mundy. It’s well-deserved.
booboo
Outstanding capture
jacobea
It looks similar to our British birds, and every bit as graceful and noble. A splendid capture, and great timing!
LjMaxx
This is a FaNtAsTiC shot Mundy. Congrats for your Home page feature of it too.. I have read all the above comments and you are certainly a photographer to respect and admire for your honesty.. I think many of us might feel/think a simular way when we are alone with ourselves.. :)
Nenad Kostadin...
INcredible!
amarica
Congratulations Mundy on making the Home Page…well done.
Nic Relton
Very Nice! Timing is everything!
jdmphotography
Only If I could favourite all your portfolio I would brilliant Mundy ! ............ Fav …........ (-:
David Clark
beautiful photo of one of my favorite birds
- I really appreciate the lengthy description of them, the habitat and feeding techniques. I think you saw in my photos we have common kestrel (which reside here in UAE) and the lesser Kestrel which migrates through this time of year. thanks also for the link to Hawk watch -lots of valuable info there – davesteppeland
Marvellous shot! Love the composition and the colours… great detail too!
Jane Best
THis is a fantastic shot. Also, thank you for posting the information about the American Kestrel.
LynnH64
Beautiful! I love kestrels!
Ryan Schain 18 days ago
Amazing!
I just recently created a group for photographs of birds in flight. You would be an excellent addition to the group, and this photo would be an excellent addition as well! – http://www.redbubble.com/groups/wild-birds-in-flight