Need help IDENTIFYING this bird of prey

Hi.

I took this photo through my kitchen window, cuz I thought I'd scare him off as soon as I opened the door to go out, and I was right.
But I am unsure as to what this is. Can you please help?
It is straight out of the camera, but cropped.

An American Kestrel, male. Interesting behavior shots.

BradM wrote in post #4786488
An American Kestrel, male. Interesting behavior shots.

Wow. I was thinking some kind of hawk!!

Why are they interesting behavioral shots? I have never heard of this kind of bird, either, (I am not really a bird photographer AT ALL! I shoot cars, and trains!!) so I am a bird novice, you might say.

Oh, and THANKS for the response!!!

Interesting in that it is tearing the head off of what looks to be sparrow, which is why the bird was originally named a sparrow hawk. This bird is very common across North America and is the smallest raptor in this range.

BradM wrote in post #4786542
Interesting in that it is tearing the head off of what looks to be sparrow, which is why the bird was originally named a sparrow hawk. This bird is very common across North America and is the smallest raptor in this range.

Oh, got it. Thanks so much for the info!!
There is even blood on the ground. I shot that, too, when I went out there. Just didn't think I should post it!!!!

They are interesting behavior shots as they are in your BACKYARD! You're right, you would have spooked it if you opened the door, they are the most skittish raptor there is. A beautiful little falcon, that is the male of the species. You're very lucky to have seen that!

ngannet wrote in post #4786734
They are interesting behavior shots as they are in your BACKYARD! You're right, you would have spooked it if you opened the door, they are the most skittish raptor there is. A beautiful little falcon, that is the male of the species. You're very lucky to have seen that!

Well, he sure WAS spooked when I opened the door, so, yeah, I am glad I shot him through my window!! (even tho the picture isn't reallly sharp!)

After I was advised what it was, I went to:

http://www.birdsofokla​homa.net/Kestrel001.ht​m

and read a little on it.

So, they are indiginous to Oklahoma only? And go north and south as the weather changes? So WHY is he in PA!??! Its quite chilly here!!!! Although it does say he hunts in suburban areas..... It is interesting!!!

Thanks for the 'lucky' comment!!! It is odd, cuz I swear we also have a red tailed hawk in the next field over. But I can never catch him...
Isn't that awful close for them??!

No, they are found all over the country, not just Oklahoma. Not sure how you got that from reading the page, which says "Range: breeds from Alaska across continent south to Mexico, winters north to Canada and south to tropics". Also check http://www.birds.corne​ll.edu …ide/American_Ke​strel.html.

BradM wrote in post #4786542
Interesting in that it is tearing the head off of what looks to be sparrow, which is why the bird was originally named a sparrow hawk. This bird is very common across North America and is the smallest raptor in this range.

Actually the reason they used to be called sparrow hawks was because of their resemblance to the Old World sparrow hawk, which actually is an accipiter hawk and does eat sparrows. The kestrel is a falcon and rarely eats sparrows, although obviously as shown by this photo, they sometimes do. The elf owl is the smallest North American raptor, and the kestrel is the smallest falcon.

gymell wrote in post #4786787
No, they are found all over the country, not just Oklahoma. Not sure how you got that from reading the page, which says "Range: breeds from Alaska across continent south to Mexico, winters north to Canada and south to tropics". Also check http://www.birds.corne​ll.edu …de/American_Kes​trel.html.

I think I just took it from the web sites name, "Birds of Oklahoma". But did see how it goes all over N.A... Thanks for the additional link!! I will keep[an eye out for him, cuz we do have TONS of sparrows around here....

gymell wrote in post #4786850
Actually the reason they used to be called sparrow hawks was because of their resemblance to the Old World sparrow hawk, which actually is an accipiter hawk and does eat sparrows. The kestrel is a falcon and rarely eats sparrows, although obviously as shown by this photo, they sometimes do. The elf owl is the smallest North American raptor, and the kestrel is the smallest falcon.

Great info!! Thanks soo much!!!! I am sooo glad I actually saw him, and had the opportunity to actually shoot him doing the nasty to that poor little sparrow!!! But THAT is the circle of life!!

Yeah, kestrels are cool, I'd love to have one in my back yard. I'm assuming that what it's got there is a house sparrow, which is a good thing because the fewer house sparrows we have, the better (see the link in my sig for why that's the case.)

Great shots Joan, better than anything I have of this bird in almost two years of looking. Love the action, I know they are small, but he's hardly bigger than that sparrow. They usually eat grasshoppers and dragonflies.

canonloader wrote in post #4787111
Great shots Joan, better than anything I have of this bird in almost two years of looking. Love the action, I know they are small, but he's hardly bigger than that sparrow. They usually eat grasshoppers and dragonflies.

Wow, thanks!! Thats quite the compliment, as I have seen some of your shots!!! Thanks again to all!!!

gymell wrote in post #4787005
Yeah, kestrels are cool, I'd love to have one in my back yard. I'm assuming that what it's got there is a house sparrow, which is a good thing because the fewer house sparrows we have, the better (see the link in my sig for why that's the case.)

wowee... I had no idea those little tiny birds were so destructive!!
You're right, I always thought they were just cute little helpless things!!!

How exciting! Great shots considering through the window and welcome to the Bird section of the forum! Once you step in here, your hooked I'm afraid... Congrats