Manitoba Falcon Cam Forum

News, Videos & Other Webcams => Other Wildlife Cams => Raptor Cams => Topic started by: Alison on August 07, 2009, 16:06

Title: American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Alison on August 07, 2009, 16:06
There is a kestrel nest box in Lincoln, Nebraska with two very young chicks in the nest. It's the same site as the Lincoln peregrine cam website:

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/webcam/kestrel/default.asp

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/kestrels17b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/kestrels21b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/kestrelsaug725b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: BirdLover on August 07, 2009, 17:01
Ha Ha, that second pic is hilarious.  That chick must be too warm!!
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: carly on August 07, 2009, 17:47
Oooohhh...look at those adorable little faces  :-* :-*
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: BirdLover on August 07, 2009, 18:02
Oooohhh...look at those adorable little faces  :-* :-*

They are, aren't they?
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: sami on August 07, 2009, 20:30
Is it just the angle of the camera, or are they really down in the bottom of something? It's probably just the angle, but it makes me wonder how the parents get in.
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Alison on August 07, 2009, 20:57
Is it just the angle of the camera, or are they really down in the bottom of something? It's probably just the angle, but it makes me wonder how the parents get in.

Yes, Sami, they really are at the bottom of a nest box. There is a hole fairly far up on the front of the box for the parents to get in and out.

Here is a link to the nest box design:

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/webcam/kestrel/nestboxplan.pdf

And here are a couple of pics I had saved earlier this year of the Xcel kestrel nest in Colorado, which show the entrance to the nest box:

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/kestrelmar172.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/kestrelapr2714a.jpg)

Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: birdcamfan on August 07, 2009, 22:11
Thanks a zillion. These are almost my favorite bird!
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: BirdLover on August 07, 2009, 22:19
They are very pretty little birds.  Little, but yet so bold!!!
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: sami on August 07, 2009, 22:23
Thanks, Alison. Makes sense when I see the drawing.
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: kittenface on August 08, 2009, 21:55
This is the second brood for this nest this year the first was 6 eggs 5 hatches 1 didn't hatch this time 3 eggs and about a week before the first hatch on the 26th of july one disappeared more than likely to a racoon or something like that
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: BirdLover on August 08, 2009, 22:19
That's a lot of work for two wee birds!  These look to be doing very well though.
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Alison on August 14, 2009, 19:38
The little kestrel chicks are already getting their feathers. The chick who looks a little darker is already very restless:

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/k5b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/k13b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/k16b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/k21b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/k27b.jpg)


Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: BirdLover on August 14, 2009, 19:43
Look at that eyeball in pic #3.  I am watching you too.  LOL

They are so cute. When were they hatched and when are they expected to fledge?
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: birdcamfan on August 14, 2009, 23:11
The faceplant in the last picture is too cute.
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: allikat on August 14, 2009, 23:52
Quote from the "Friendly Giant" seems to suit this situation quite well....

"look up, look waaayyyyyy up"

They are too cute... :-*
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Alison on August 17, 2009, 17:37
They are so cute. When were they hatched and when are they expected to fledge?

The first chick hatched on July 26 and the second on July 27. As far as fledging goes, for comparison, the first Colorado kestrel chick hatched on April 23 and four of the five had fledged by May 25.
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Alison on August 25, 2009, 17:48
The two kestrel chicks are almost ready to fledge. They have been looking out of the nest box, and doing a lot of wing flapping. They are beautiful.

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/kestrels10b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/kestrels11b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/15b.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/16b-1.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/20b-1.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/23b-1.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/24b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/40b-1.jpg)

(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/44b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: The Peregrine Chick on September 01, 2009, 14:41
They sure look like a cross between our merlins and American kestrels ... nice birds though and great webcam image!  Thanks Allison!
Title: Re: 2009 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Kinderchick on September 01, 2009, 21:46
Yes, wonderful photos, Alison! :D
Title: 2010 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Alison on May 17, 2010, 19:17
The kestrels at the Lincoln, Nebraska nest have chicks:

(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/kestrelsmay171a.jpg)

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/webcam/kestrel/default.asp
Title: Re: 2010 - American Kestrels - Nebraska / NPGC
Post by: Alison on May 26, 2010, 18:07
Mama kestrel with her five chicks:

(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/May%202010/kestrelsmay261a.jpg)

(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/May%202010/kestrelsmay263a.jpg)