Some people call it a "chicken hawk". But "kestrel" is prefered

The American kestrel is fairly common in north Texas. Not big - about the size of a common grackle.  It's primarily thought of as a swift predator of backyard songbirds – occasionally picking them right off a feeder, like our area’s other hawks.  While true, the kestrel’s diet is largely insects and small rodents.

It’s identifiable by the black, vertical marks under each  eye. It's a “raptor” (a bird of prey), the smallest member of the falcon sub-group, within the hawk family. Falcons have very aerodynamic bodies and pointed wings, which enables them to fly and maneuver very well. 

They  used to be called a sparrow hawks, although it has no relation to sparrows, nor does it prey on chickens or sparrfows. Occasionally kestrels will catch and eat small birds of any species. (which is why we suggest you plant protective vegetation near a feeder).  You’ll often see them when driving, perched attentively atop a dead tree, phone wire or a street sign looking for prey.

Like hummingbirds, the kestrel has the ability to hover in flight (although for a shorter time), allowing it to spot prey (like a mouse) and swoop down on it.  In heavily-vegetated yards, however, kestrels aren’t much of a concern, however, since they prefer unobstructed areas.

  

1,140 QuArter-PounDErs anyone?

If an average person had a metabolism comparable to that of a hummingbird, he would have to eat 285 pounds of hamburger meat each and every day just to maintain his health & weight.

Owen Yost, in addition to blogging, is a Landscape Architect emeritus from here, who‘s worked in north Texas for over 30 years.  He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Society of Landscape Architects, the National BirdFeeding Society, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award by the Native Plant Society of Texas. His design office is at birdpoop@charter.net