30 May 2007 - AMKE update - Tuttle

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30 May 2007 - American Kestrel Update - Tuttle

Hello Everyone,

Dick Phillips and I monitored 18 American Kestrel nest boxes hanging from electric poles and found an additional kestrel nest since our last visit, raising the number of active nests to 15. The new nest has three eggs of the same hue, and since the last egg of a clutch is the lightest in color, one or more eggs are expected.

Presently, five nests hold eggs and ten have nestlings. We have placed U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service aluminum leg bands on six families. Between 13 and 24 days, nestlings can be banded without fear that they will fledge early. Also, at 13 days, a kestrel nestling can be sexed; females have brown primary wing feathers and the wings of males are slate-colored. It is best for bird banders to handle nestlings at the younger end of the age spectrum when the youngsters lack the coordination and aggressive behaviors to slash and jab at their handlers. Sharp talons are always there but the younger nestlings are passive and lack the muscle to make them work. Good record keeping makes it possible to band the birds on time.

During a kestrel banding in the mid-1990's, we put a family of nestlings in a bucket and were horrified as the youngsters started to grab each other in a panic. One bird had a set of talons on its head with a curved claw very close to its eye. We quickly separated the siblings to avoid any harm having learned to never put your falcons in the same basket! Soon after, I made a carrier from plans in a bird-banding journal. The carrier has six chambers made of one-half gallon orange juice cartons. The youngsters are separated as they are carried to and from their nest. Dick Phillips usually transports the birds as I prepare the bands and paper work on the ground.

As the nestlings are returned to their nest box, one is placed in each corner before the remaining members are delivered to the center of their nest. By that time, they are on their backs jabbing at the handler's hand. They are such sweet creatures.

After hatching begins, we band nestlings each week until the entire nestling population wears leg bands. Banding marks the last visit for each nest box until all the families have flown, then we plan one final inspection for the year's tally.

Since the first kestrels were banded in 1995, alert citizens have reported four dead banded kestrels to the Bird Banding Laboratory (1-800-327-BAND), sometimes with the help of the Ohio Division of Wildlife. One banded fledgling was found near its nest box, and three others died during their first winter, the farthest 48 miles away. A bird's first year is its most extreme test.

Scratches on some of the poles show that raccoons have tried to climb to the nest boxes but the aluminum flashing has stopped them. So far, at least 68 eggs and young are striving to grow into new falcons for 2007. We gave Falco sparverius 18 good nest boxes and the species continues to accept the offer.

Raptor on, Dick Tuttle