Caracaras and Falcons Archives - Window to Wildlife

American Kestrel at the Milwaukee Lakefront on November 30, 2016

Birding along Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning, the highlight was an adult male American Kestrel coming in for a landing to a tree. The rest of the lakefront was very quiet with only a few winter ducks. The King Eider was still being seen off of Northpoint but very far out.

American Kestrel coming in for a landing

American Kestrel

Binomial name: Falco sparverius

Category: Caracaras and Falcons

Size: 9” long, 22” wing span

Weight: 4.1 oz

Cool facts: I’ve also heard it called a sparrow hawk

It did not hang around!

Merlins in Sawyer County Wisconsin on July 2, 2016

By admin | July 6, 2016 - 1:47 pm |July 6, 2016 Bird Categories, Caracaras and Falcons

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I found a nesting pair of Merlins last week while up in Sawyer County. These birds remained at tree tops when I saw them waiting for prey. I can see why they call this bird a small powerful falcon as it must hear or see prey off in a distant and then they take off like a bullet from the tree tops, they are out of sight in a couple of seconds. Amazing to see this bird in action, but it was very difficult to photograph it with tall pine trees in the area. I saw it fly to the nest on numerous occasions with prey and in the nest too, likely feeding young. Amazing birds! Images were taken the last week in June 2016.

These images are not very sharp but I wanted to share this amazing bird.

Merlin

Binomial name: Falco columbarius

Category: Caracaras and Falcons

Size: 10” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 6.5 oz

Just before takeoff

Typically perched on a tall pine tree close to the nest tree

The nest up very high

Gyrfalcon in Superior Wisconsin and the Ivory Gull in Duluth Minnesota on January 2, 2016

By admin | January 2, 2016 - 9:00 pm |February 26, 2016 Bird Categories, Caracaras and Falcons, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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I made the run up to Superior Wisconsin and Duluth Minnesota along with Jenny, Rita and John. We arrived a few minutes before sun up. The 2 target birds for us for the day were the rare Gyrfalcon (currently in WI) and the very rare visiting Ivory Gull (currently in MN). It was an exciting day watching both species in action. The Gyrfalcon chased and Common Raven, then the Common Raven appeared to chase the Gyrfalcon. What a show it was! The Ivory Gull was there at sun up with many spectators, ate and on occasion, flew at some high speeds with Herring Gulls. Life birds for all of us on a cold morning and full sun, with low winds. A fun trip for the 4 of us and with friends and birders from around the state. Images were taken on January 2, 2016.