Don--

Thanks for this information...trying to age a kestrel is mighty difficult
and when I've asked about it, some folks have said things like, "look at the
cere and the feet..if they're really yellow, chances are it's an adult."
I think you're right about the implication that aging a kestrel is a whole
lot more likely if you've got the bird in hand..

Tom

Tom Foote footet at elwha.evergreen.edu
Lab II
The Evergreen State College (360) 866-6000 x6118
Olympia, WA 98505






On Mon, 3 Jul 1995, Don Baccus wrote:

> Gene Hunn:
> >Also found two female Kestrels in
> >one clear cut area( about one mile apart). Would this indicate two pairs
> >in the area or would it be more likely to be young of the year?
>
> If you can get a good look at a female kestrel's tail when it's
> spread out, you can age it: kids have the subterminal band no
> wider than the other bands (except the central two feathers, which
> is why it helps to have it spread, as in hovering flight or
> preening). This is only good 'til Sept 1, however, according
> to standard banding keys - some kids (both sexes) molt their
> tail in the fall, apparently.
>
> First year males are streaked on the breast and this is
> usually pretty noticable, though by fall some have begun
> to molt their breast feathers and have no streaking
> on the chest, which can be clear and chestnut like an
> adult in the very center. Caught one with a band on
> it last year that had just a little bit of streaking that
> looked almost like spotting on the sides of the breast,
> and learned later that it had been banded that spring
> in central Idaho.
>
> Adult males may have spots, but the spotted feathers look
> different than those that cause the streaked look.
> In flight, though, I only trust myself to age those which
> are clearly streaked or clearly clear of streaks/spots
> as during migration you rarely have time to make a
> lenghty examination.
>
> Now, go back to your clearcut and answer your own question :)
>
> - Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>
>
>
>