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Yakima Herald-Republic
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YAKIMA -- Farmers with cherry orchards and vineyards loathe the damage caused by fruit-loving birds such as robins, finches, waxwings and starlings. Dissuading these pilfering birds, though, can be a problem; one might shoot them, but it's difficult to obtain permits, and trapping is ineffective.
For a growing number of growers, though, the answer itself has wings.
Meet the American kestrel, a small falcon with an excitable temperament.
Central Washington's smallest daytime bird of prey is about 10 inches long with a wingspread of about 22 inches. This irascible and noisy predator terrorizes other small birds, catching some but certainly keeping all the neighborhood tweety birds on high alert by interrupting their feeding on valuable crops.
That has prompted many growers to attract kestrels, which nest in tree cavities such as those excavated by woodpeckers and also readily accept man-made boxes. So, in agricultural areas throughout the Yakima area, you'll see boxes placed on poles in cherry orchards and vineyards; there are literally thousands of them throughout agricultural regions of Eastern Washington.
HOW TO SPOT ONE: Kestrels prefer open habitats, so look for them about Yakima area farms, pastures, foothills, and cliffs. A few nest in the city, especially near large parks and large old trees. Look for a bird -- usually by itself -- on a power pole or wire. Male kestrels have blue-gray wings, females reddish-brown. In flight, the American kestrel has a typical falcon silhouette with pointy wings and a long tail. Other good identification points include two black "sideburns" on the sides of its head, its habit of hovering in the air in one spot, and the way it flicks its tail nervously just after landing.
CHOW TIME: Kestrels eat primarily large insects such as grasshoppers, small mammals and some birds. They catch their prey by two methods. One is perching and peering; that's why you'll often see a kestrel perched motionless on a wire or pole. Once it sights a potential meal, it dashes after it. The other common strategy, when the wind blows, is to hover in one spot over a pasture or slope and stoop to the ground for insects or rodents. This is a big reason why lots of kestrels migrate south -- insects disappear during winter and most rodents keep under snow cover, making for a scarce food supply.
SOCIAL LIFE: Kestrels pair up in late winter or early spring. The male seeks out a suitable cavity, box or cliff ledge and begins its shrill killy ... killy... killy calling to attract a female. Females cruising by will check out the territory and lodging the male has chosen. If she deems these suitable, they continue courtship antics and then nesting. The young -- four to five per brood -- fledge in 30 days, typically during June or July when finding food is easiest.
WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW: Worldwide there are about 35 species of falcons, four of which occur in Central Washington. The merlin, a dark bird about the size of a kestrel, breeds in forests to the north and is mostly a winter visitor here. The prairie falcon is a sandy-colored species of the arid shrub-steppe, nesting on cliffs (the Yakima River Canyon is a prime location). The peregrine falcon prefers wetter habitats, but a few breed locally, especially near big rivers or in the mountains. The gyrfalcon, an arctic bird and world's largest falcon, is a rare visitor in winter.
WANT TO KNOW AND SEE MORE? The Yakima Area Arboretum is hosting a class from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 22. A slide show and handouts will be provided by the Yakima Valley Audubon Society, and live birds of prey from the Raptor Rehabilitation Center will be on hand. Call 248-7337 to sign up.
* Wildlife Moment, focusing on native wildlife, typically runs in Outdoors on the first Thursday of every month, with the cooperation of the Yakima Valley Audubon Society.
