American Kestrels are known for their badassery but yesterday morning this ballsy male cranked it up a notch. Or three.
Yesterday more than made up for some pretty slow days in the field recently. I managed to photograph a Green Heron, a diving kingfisher, a one-eyed pelican and a one-eared weasel before the morning was half over. But even though the Green Heron was a lifer for me, weasels are notoriously hard to find much less get in the viewfinder and diving kingfishers are always a huge challenge for the photographer my most exciting event of the morning was an extremely aggressive male kestrel playing hardball with a Red-tailed Hawk.
So the heron, weasel, kingfisher and pelican photos will have to wait for another day.
I don’t know the sex of the hawk but I’m going to refer to ‘her’ as a female. She was far away (these photos have been cropped substantially) but she was facing my general direction so I trained my lens on her in case she took off toward me.
But this male American Kestrel immediately took major exception to her presence in the tree and began to attack her. Again and again.
He came at her fast and from almost every direction so the much larger and slower hawk could only react defensively. She was out classed and out maneuvered every time.
She couldn’t turn on her perch fast enough to meet him head-on so about all she could do is raise her wings defensively and close her nictitating membranes to protect her eyes.
Even on those rare occasions when she was facing his direction of approach he was fearless. Here he’s swooping in…
and in the next photo in the burst he appears to be so close to her she could almost reach up and snatch him out of the air. But because of his incredible speed and maneuverability it never happened. In fact she never even tried.
His ability to avoid crashing into the branches and twigs surrounding and protecting her while he was flying at such crazy speeds was nothing short of incredible. When I study this photo carefully I simply can’t imagine how he got where he is without having a lethal collision with some part of the tree.
Here it looks like a collision with one of the branches in front of him is almost inevitable but…
he was able to pull up quickly enough to avoid them.
I actually managed to photograph one of the attacks in its entirety. The kestrel perched nearby to plan his next attack so I was able to get both birds in the frame.
He waited until she was looking away before launching his attack.
Once again he had to ‘thread the needle’ of branches and twigs so he…
pulled his wings into a more aerodynamic shape that would both help to prevent a collision and increase his speed.
At the last split-second he flared slightly upward and brought his legs and feet into position for the strike.
She still doesn’t know he’s coming.
He struck the back of her head with enough force to snap her head forward and downward which…
helped him to make a clean getaway. All she could do is look surprised and nonplussed and perhaps even a little embarrassed over being outfoxed by such a tiny adversary.
Then he proceeded to rub salt in the wound by perching nearby and appearing to taunt her.
She watched him much more carefully after that last attack.
Ron
Note: there were actually several kestrels harassing the red-tail but I was looking through my lens the entire time so I couldn’t keep track of which one was which. But based on feather gaps in the kestrel I believe it’s likely that all of the attacks in these photos were made by the same male kestrel. I could be wrong but I don’t think so.
Kestrels don’t always get the better of their larger adversaries.
About four years ago, I observed a juvenile male redtail that was hunting on the wing during a period of gusty winds, strike a mobbing male AMKE hard enough that the kestrel hit the ground at full speed and bounced. The unfortunate little falcon was too stunned to escape and was quickly snatched up and eaten by the pursuing redtail.
I am a new fan. Truly remarkable photos of the Kestrel and the juvie Red Tail. Thank you so much! I bet the hawk went home and complained to his Mom.
How fun to watch! Those smaller birds know they can out maneuver the larger birds and take every advantage of that ability.
Just curious how long did this encounter last ⁉️
Again, a beautiful series of pictures 😁
Diana, according to the time stamps on my photos it lasted between 5 and 6 minutes.
This Kestrel definitely has badassery down to an art form. Poor RTHA — I really feel for her — she was just sitting there minding her own business.
This series is all kinds of phenomenal! Definitely makes up for many “off” days — past and future!
Thanks, Marty. That kind of day doesn’t come around very often. In fact I remember only a few of them.
Fantastic series! Learned a LOT from other viewers…a rich, wonderful day…very grateful to all…
“Learned a LOT from other viewers”
So did I, Patty. I often do.
FASCINATING post – and awesome comments. My slack arse self didn’t get up till 4.15 today so I got the benefits all at once.
Thank you, and all those that sail on the good ship Dudley.
The good ship Dudley – now that’s a new one, EC. Made me smile. And put a Shirley Temple earworm in my head.
Just amazing and I was mesmerized! Where is Laura Culley when we need her? She has a female RTH and a male kestrel and would so obviously enjoy this series.
Ron, I don’t know how you do it, but you top yourself over and over again! Please don’t ever stop!
Thanks very much, Pat. I think you were typing your comment when Laura posted.
What a wonderful series! And it’s one I’ve witnessed over and over in the field with Mariah (fRTHA). Oddly, Kestrels seem to ignore Jack (mHAHA). I have NO idea what that’s about.
Just so you know, if a human utters the L word (the word that refers to the possibility of diminutive size) within the hearing range of a Kestrel, they are bound by the Laws of Kestrelhood, as written and codified in the Manual of Kestrel, to go take down a bison or similar critter. Like gravity to us, it is the LAW 😉
This redtail (agreed that she’s a girl) is a juvie and unlearned in the ways of Kestrels. They CAN be dealt with to a certain degree, but the redtail MUST be bold and confident to make it happen. Threat timing is crucial and must be mastered to deliver the foot/talons at the apex of the Kestrel attack paired with a glaring stink eye that conveys the redtail’s confidence, whether warranted or merely bluster 😉
The other strategy is to simply take flight, removing oneself from the area of the Kestrel’s ire. That’s generally the more productive route since Kestrels are persistent “L” boogers. However, if Plan A (above) is executed properly, the K-bird MIGHT pause for a moment of introspection to reassess the situation, which makes exiting stage left (or right) a much more dignified strategy.
Kestrels are DEFINITELY badasses!! In reality, they’re badder than any two golden eagles with a Cooper’s hawk thrown in for good measure. LOL!! Mariah and I hunted a field near Denver that was obviously the territory of a pair of K monsters (Just to be clear, I LOVE Kestrels and I’ve flown two of them, a male and a female). As soon as Mariah took her first perch, near the top of a tall old oak tree, both of them launched their attack. Mariah was about 15 then and well versed in the ways of the diminutive goliaths, but with two at once, she was definitely outgunned. That Kestrel pair had met the redtail challenge before and had their attack timing down to a fine art. While one was in the midst of an attack the second was on the outflight and preparing the next. After about three rounds, Mariah took off, heading for me and the protection I could provide. Given that discretion is the better part of valor, we got back in the Jeep and headed for another field that only had a resident Cooper’s, which was a much more manageable threat 😉
OK, sorry for rambling on and on, but a) I’ve spent 25 years with Ms. Mariah (the Divine Ms. M OR The Buzzard B*tch from Hell, depending), b) I’m sitting here with a computer, c) you’ve presented me with a redtail AND a Kestrel, d) I’m a seasoned professional writer AND I’m writing about our adventures over the years. Also, I ADORE that old hag! She tolerates me, but more importantly, she trusts me. And that is probably the most magical thing that’s ever happened to me. What a blessed privilege that she has chosen to share her life with me.
Those are some fascinating anecdotes, Laura. I’ll bet very few falconers have spent that long with the same bird.
There you are!
Laura, I never tire of reading of your adventures with Mariah. I feel so privileged to be witness to your relationship. 🙂
You should be writing a book…in just this way!
Great series! As to how the Kestrel misses those branches.. Here is a short note i wrote about this that is posted on our stores website as part of a series of bird trivia.:
Birds have the ability to see higher flicker frequency rates or cycles per second. Imagine turning a light on an off. The faster you turn it on and off the higher the flicker frequency rate. A fluorescent lamp flickers at a rate of about 60 cycles per second (cps). The human eye is only capable of seeing a rate of 50-55cps, thus the fluorescent light looks continuous because it is flickering faster than we can detect (unless the light slows as it ages and we sometimes become aware of it). Some birds can see flicker rates of over 100cps. The faster we move, the more nearby objects, such as branches, become blurred. The could be a problem for fast-moving birds were it not for the faster flicker frequency rate. A Sharp-shinned Hawk, in quick pursuit of prey through dense woodlands can clearly see and avoid the branches in its path. Just one of the many ways birds’ vision is superior to that of humans.
Absolutely fascinating stuff, Dan.
Thanks Dan! That’s just one in a series of ways raptors (birds) are the higher species compared to us. Overall, humans are dullards in so many ways 😉 Anyway, just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your insights!
Thanks. I love teaching about birds and I’m glad to know you find these bits of info interesting.
Fabulous action shots! I was surprised when a kestrel attacked and drove away a Merlin which decided to occupy the kestrel’s favorite treetop perch. I guess ownership confers more energy than occupancy. BTW, I was squeaking at a Screech Owl roosting near its nest tree and another (presumably the mate) struck me, from the back, on top of the head. It lifted my hat a bit and left neat dirty talon marks in the fabric (not my skin).
I’ll bet that got your attention, Kenneth!
I’ve never been physically attacked by a wild bird but a good friend was hit on the back of his head by an Arctic Tern. He said it “really hurt”.
Falcons rule! (Dick is right, although I still have an abiding passion for RTHAs.) This is an incredible series, Ron, lucky us that you were there to capture it. Like Ali, that Kestrel showed off his fancy footwork — with even better wingwork! 😉
Thanks, Chris. I probably don’t have a favorite raptor, I just like to see and photograph them interacting. For me behaviors rule.
Sounds like an unbelievably productive day. One wonders if the Hawk knew she better stay put in the cover of the tree rather than chance getting slammed by the Kestrels at full speed.
Lyle, I’ve waited a long time to have a day like that.
Very cool. The shot where his wings are out and he is right next to her is my fave.
I watched what I believe was a Cooper’s do an aerial attack on a larger hawk. It was pretty amazing.
Yup, Coops are fast and maneuverable too aren’t they, Arwen.
We have several in the area. Very fun to watch.
This is such a great series Ron. I love these posts with with sequence shots to really show the story. Particularly that last launch, flight and head smack!
“I love these posts with with sequence shots to really show the story”
So do I, Dave. This many photos eats up a lot of band width but sometimes it’s worth it.
Amazing. And interesting that there were three kestrels. Wonder what that’s all about. The females are terrorists as well – I once saw a mama ride a crow out of the field where her babies were learning to fly. The noise was ear- piercing, too.
No question, Sallie – the females can be just as aggressive as the males.
That is a priceless series Ron. I work with the Kestrel restoration folks here in Prescott so I am going to forward on. I think they will really appreciate this. And the ending photo says it all. Kind of like Mohammed Ali taunting his opponents.
Ali was the master at it wasn’t he, Everett. I miss Ali’s antics.
Fantastic. One of your best.
Thanks very much, Brad.
That is so funny. Small but mighty!
🙂
Goliath is no match for David! Excellent series, Ron. Thank you!
Thanks, Diane.
What a fantastic series! The look of alarm in the Red-tail’s eyes and her chagrin after the head strike are unmistakable. And I really like that shot of the kestrel’s feathers as he pulled up to avoid the branches.
I agree about that pulling up shot, Cathy. It looks like the hawk was pretty impressed too. 🙂
Great series of shots Ron! Those kestrels are so very feisty! It’s a good thing they aren’t Red-tail size.
Thank you, Gail.
WOW! Amazing series, Ron! 🙂 Ability of the Kestrel to maneuver and nail the hawk is jaw dropping! Attack angle appears to have use her slightly hooded eyes (the brow ridge whatever it’s called) to his advantage so she didn’t detect him……..
“Jaw dropping” literally, Judy. I’m sure my jaw was almost out of joint while I was photographing this encounter.
Great photos of this avian confrontation. Nothing seems amazing about the AMKE. I always enjoy watching them in the field. Obviously the RTHA is getting no respect from this tiny bird. In this case SIZE doesn’t matter… As always thanks for sharing. 🤗
Thank you, Mark.
Intimidation and patience…what else could one call it! Sometimes it’s just the mere presence of an intruder I guess or perhaps a previous bad encounter lodged in a memory. Once again you were in the right spot. Great episode to catch!
Thanks, Kathy. This hawk is a young bird. I can’t help but wonder how a more experienced adult would have handled the situation.
This is one hell of a great post!
There is no way that Red-tail will intimidate a Kestrel. Plus, how can any big bird intimidate a Falcon regardless of size?? Common on its a Falcon! VBG!!
You’re right, Dick. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an intimidated falcon.