..What’s a “sparrow hawk”?

American Kestrel

 

American Kestrel

It’s just an old, regional name for a kestrel. The American Kestrel is fairly commonly seen in north Texas at this time of year - especially hovering over treeless fields, hunting for small prey (although it’s here all year). It is actually neither a hawk nor a sparrow.

 
Other outdated names;  Peregrine falcon was a “duck hawk”. Chipping Sparrow was called a “hairbird” for some reason. Today we sometimes hear a Goldfinch referred to as a “wild canary”.

 

 

Yes we have no bananas      Butterflies love spoiled bananas – don’t ask me why. They also go for mushy fruit like pears and peaches. (but don’t leave them outside too long or you may have other visitors). This is what becomes of fruit if nature takes its course – animals eat some and the rest nourishes the soil.

 

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OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.