Help ID this bird? Shot in Pittsburg, (no h), CA in the East Bay of San Francisco. I was thinking it was a small hawk but it could be a falcon. It's behavior is to hover in place for...

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Help ID this bird?

Mar 17, 2016 21:54:06 #

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Shot in Pittsburg, (no h), CA in the East Bay of San Francisco. I was thinking it was a small hawk but it could be a falcon. It's behavior is to hover in place for quite awhile and drop rapidly to the ground when it spots something. I have never seen a raptor with this yellow and red coloring in this area. It is a small bird too and his beak is really short. Can one of you birders help a brother out?

Thanks!

Mar 17, 2016 22:26:58 #

Jana-TAS Loc: Washington

Looks like an American Kestrel to me.

Mar 17, 2016 22:27:08 #

RedArrow Loc: Coastal Louisiana

I believe it is an American Kestrel.

Mar 17, 2016 23:20:34 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I beleive American Kestrel is correct:
http://www.searchlock.com/search?q=%22american+kestrel%22&tbm=isch

Mar 17, 2016 23:21:43 #

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

Love the Pic!! I leave the ID to the experts though, I'm too new at this. I know where Pittsburg Ca. is & all about it!! LOL...I was born & raised in Antioch...small world huh? I now live in Southern Oregon after I retired & love it.
I have a Coopers and/or Sharp Shinned Hawk that comes fairly regularly to my feeders....not for the seeds though!

I have seen those birds all my life hovering over the fields & never knew what kind they were, thanks for helping check them out. I do miss all the Mocking Birds & Meadow Larks that used to be singing out there in the countryside.Plus the smell of Almond blossoms in the Spring!...

Mar 18, 2016 00:01:07 #

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Thanks so much, that was fast too! I agree with you and so does Wikipedia and google images.

Mar 18, 2016 00:04:15 #

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Thanks to all who responded, I love this ugly bunch!

Nikonian72 wrote:

I beleive American Kestrel is correct:
http://www.searchlock.com/search?q=%22american+kestrel%22&tbm=isch

Check out Film Photography section of our forum.

Mar 18, 2016 00:15:21 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

ppage wrote: