Tag Archives: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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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/

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Mark Ricci noticed the big hawk land on a wire.

Red-tailed Hawk by Mark Ricci

Then the Red-tailed Hawk spotted something, something tasty to eat!

Red-tailed Hawk looking for prey by Mark Ricci

The hawk swooped down and nabbed this rodent.

Red-tailed Hawk catches a mouse by Mark Ricci

It ate the rodent, tossed away the fur, and then returned to the wire to look for its next meal.

To hear the screaming calls of these hawks, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They even have a recording of an 11 day old chick. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-tailed_Hawk/sounds

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Paul Brewer spotted this Peregrine Falcon recently.

Peregrine Falcon by Paul Brewer

They hunt medium-sized birds, especially ducks and shorebirds, and their aerial dive is something to see. They have been clocked at 200 miles per hour when diving for their dinner. To hear their calls, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/sounds

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

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Richard Kuehn recently photographed several species of shorebirds, including Whimbrels. This particular Whimbrel reminded Rich of "King of the Mountain."

King of the Mountain, a Whimbrel by Richard Kuehn

Whimbrels are large sandpipers and they eat insects. You can see the bill is curved downward. They nest far to our north in the Tundra.

To hear their twittering call, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whimbrel/sounds

Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

 

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Male birds are singing to attract a mate and it is beautiful to hear. Richard Kuehn and Dean Schuler took a walk yesterday and found these birds -  a Pacific Wren [formally called Winter Wren] and a Wilson's Warbler.

Pacific Wren by Rich Kuehn Wilson's Warbler by Richard Kuehn

To hear the sound of a Pacific Wren, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pacific_Wren/sounds. And to hear the Wilson's Warbler, here is the link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Warbler/sounds

Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share his photos with you here.