American Kestrels

Back at the end of April I was cleaning out bluebird and tree swallow nest boxes at a nearby conservation area. There is also a large nest box high on a pole for American kestrels. The box was erected in the spring of 2015. On that April day, I noted a pair of kestrels in the area. Not totally unexpected as I sometimes see them there in the spring. I alerted the group that was responsible for putting the box in place and not long after I received an email indicating that it appeared the kestrels were utilizing the box. Good news!

Fast forward to June. I received another email inviting me and others to observe as the Massachusetts State Ornithologist, Dr. Andrew Vitz banding the birds. Banding is when small leg bands of varying colors with identifying marks (usually numbers and/or letters) are attached (safely and comfortably) to the legs of birds. Measurements such as weight, beak length, wing length (a certain part of the forewing) and part of the leg are measured. I happily accepted the invite.

American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is North America's smallest falcon and are downright beautiful. The males are more colorful than the females, which with a few exceptions is typical in the bird world. You can read more about them and see images of adults at THIS link.

 Dr. Vitz climbs the ladder to take the young kestrels out of the nesting box.

 Young kestrels, 2 males and 3 females, awaiting their bands. They move very little during this process.

 Dr. Vitz measuring the tarsometatarsus.

 Leg band in place.

 Weighing the kestrel. They were all very healthy and weighed around 140 grams.

 A few feathers are also sampled and will be sent to a lab in another part of the country for DNA
analysis.

The parents were absent for most of the process, but did arrive and observed from across the field, vocalizing occasionally.

The birds were safely returned to their nest and all is well. These young will likely fledge in about a week.

Left to right: Jack Sidar, Stewardship Coordinator for The 300 Committee Land Trust (responsible for getting this box in place), Dr. Andrew Vitz of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Alexandra Brandt, Conservation Technician for The Town of Falmouth. A wonderful collaboration between a private land trust, town and state agencies.

There were several highlights to this day, but this moment ranked right up there as one of the best for me in quite some time.