072724 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/columns/birding-today-kestrel-count-numbers-slowly-in-decline/article_b2fdfd76-45c7-11ef-83b6-2b084970325f.html

Oklahoma Vagrants: Crested Caracara

Seen as early as 2002 in the Perry area, which is as far north and east as has been reported in Oklahoma, and at Red Slough in winter of 2018, the Crested Caracara gets around as an accidental or vagrant bird.

The caracara is a raptor, and very unlike a regal falcon.  Even its physical attributes say that it was classified incorrectly:  long legs, habits of a scavenger, rounded wingtips, and it flies low in search of prey.

Known as the northern caracara, these birds are found in scrub, deserts, grasslands, and up to ten thousand feet above sea level.

Often on foot, they capture their prey running upon the ground and overtaking it.  They require a running start in order to become airborne, and once they do, their flight is strong and they can soar well, in order to scan for ground prey.

                                                           Adult Crested Caracara
                                                               January 2017, TX

As opportunists, they will join vultures at carrion, overturn rocks for insects, fish in shallow water, and eat nearly anything, even fruit.  However, their bill is not useful for opening large prey, so they require a larger animal or a vulture to do that.

Since the caracara feeds upon carrion, its face is bare in order to permit cleanliness.  Perching upon small trees or fenceposts, this falcon is not known for swift and acrobatic flights.  It would rather scan for vultures on the way to prey.

The northern crested caracara is common in Mexico, as well as Central and northern South America.  Due to recent bad weather in and around Cuba, it may not be as common there as it once was.

Stick nests are built in mesquites, palms, live oak, palmetto, cactus, shrubs, or even upon the ground if absolutely necessary.  Where populations are endangered (Florida in 1987), temperature increases caused loss of habitat.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: American Kestrel

The American Kestrel, sometimes called the Sparrowhawk, is North America's smallest falcon.
Often found in fields and pastures, perched upon electrical wires, or fenceposts, they scan open fields for grasshoppers, mice or any other small prey.  Kestrels are able to see the urine trails of mice due to ultraviolet sight.

The favored breeding habitat is where sparse trees or groves meet open country, which is not limited to agricultural lands and grasslands.

Usually the most sociable of falcons, males perform aerial displays and feed a female for courting interests.  This proves to the female his hunting prowess and ability to provide for nestlings.  It also continues to strengthen the pair bond.  Females will do most of the incubating and the young fledge in about thirty days.

These falcons are cavity nesters, often using nestboxes, rock crevices, and sheltered platforms if necessary.  An average of four eggs are laid, depending upon food availability at two-day intervals, then incubation begins just before the final egg is laid.

                                                 American Kestrel, Payne County, OK

They are in Oklahoma all year, and some of their breeding is quite concealed, which explains why they are not often seen in the summer, unless one of the pair is by a roadside seeking food for the female and the young.

This buoyant flier ranges throughout the Americas and is a dimorphic species (sexes differ).   Their calls are quite distinctive, as "klee-klee-klee-ke-lee!," which helps to locate them.

The kestrel occasionally is prey for the Cooper's and Red-tailed Hawks, but there was an incident last year with all three sitting on electrical wires, hunting.  They were all interested in one mouse, to which the Red-tailed Hawk was victorious.  The second mouse was taken by the Cooper's Hawk, and the kestrel was so irritated, he gave the above call, then fled the area.