Ron Canterbury asked me to post this to the list for him...

I am glad to see the discussion on American Kestrels.  At one of my research
sites in eastern KY (Ashland, Boyd Co.) my assistants and I have banded 4
kestrels over the past three years.  They have learned to take birds out of
our mist nets placed near some bird feeders, and have often forced us to
hault the banding on some days (when kestrels are hunting in the vacinity).
One particular male kestrel a few years ago decapitated two birds, including
an American Goldfinch, before we were able to close the nets.  After closing
the nets, we placed the dead birds near the bird feeders, and the kestrel
came back and retrieved its (free) meal.  At this site, I've also seen
kestrels capturing and consuming Mourning Doves, which are about the same
size as the kestrel.

I have seen a decline in kestrel numbers on WV CBCs, and have counted
kestrels for 15 years along Rt. 23 extending between Ashland, KY and
Portsmouth, OH, as well as along 23 north from Portsmouth to Lucasville and
Waverly and other areas.

Enjoy the birds, and happy fall and winter birding to all.

- Ron

 Ronald A. Canterbury
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0006
Voice: 513.556.9570
Fax: 513.556.5299
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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