Unusual Kestrel in Adams County

[Susan Rosine]

I was on a little road near Thornton, and came across an American Kestrel dining on roadkill. He would fly to a tree on the side of the road when a car would come along, and then go back for more.

The unusual thing was, he had no black speckles except a few on the sides, and lots of orange on chest and belly. Is he a subspecies?

Susan Rosine

Thornton

[Jim Nelson]

The extent of black spotting on the underparts may be age related.  This is from the species account in Birds of North America online -- “Considerable disagreement on how much of the variability in kestrel plumage is age-related. Bent ( Bent 1938b ) suggested that males become less barred dorsally, less spotted ventrally, with a more rufous tail through successive molts; Parkes ( Parkes 1955a ) presented contrary evidence.”

 

Jim Nelson

Bethesda, Maryland 

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[Susan Rosine]

Interesting; thank you so much!
Susan R.