Friends--I believe falconers are required to band their birds, though
regulations may differ from state to state and perhaps between the U.S.
and Canada.
In addition, I believe falconers are also supposed to register their
birds with state/provincial fish and wildlife services.

Someone might usefully try FWS offices in BC, WA, OR and CA to see if
anybody is flying or holding a Eurasian Kestrel, and may have lost the
bird. I've corresponded with a man who breeds the species in Virginia,
and know the species has been flown in FL and LA.

The species does not appear to be favored by falconers, though I know
of two ardent adherents in the U.S. east of the Mississippi.

Someone might also usefully run a search for local state/provincial
falconry email lists and web pages. But know that many falconers are
very suspicious of birders, viewing them as people who would like to
prevent them from taking birds of passage.

Yours,


Jim Barton
redwing1986 at mediaone.net
Cambridge, MA