American kestrel release

Trapped when she was a juvenile in Oct 2008 (non-imprinted) and flown by a federally licensed falconer (me) through the winter, this female American kestrel was released (with a little encouragement) back to the wild this morning. With any luck, she'll find herself a mate and raise a family next year.

First year mortality rate for wild kestrels is about 75%, but that drops to about just 6% when a falconer is taking care of them. Now just imagine what kind of good falconers can do for peregrines and other birds of prey!

Godspeed little birdie. It was a pleasure spending time with you.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• American
• kestrel
• falcon
• falconry
• nature
• wildlife
• flying
• release

[mdjuricic]

guys i have one wish! I want KestreL pet because i love that bird so much... Im from Eu can some1 tell me how can i get some Kestrel and how to train him... I Dont need him for hunting or something like that.... Just pure love to this awesome bird.... How to get 1? ty

[rtperch]

@mdjuricic If you're in Europe, check with your country's laws for raptor possession. In some places, all you need to do is pay for one. (Of course, if you know nothing about raptors, be prepared for when you accidentally kill/maim it.)

[CelebratingWildlife]

There is nothing better than releasing healthy wildlife back into the wild. Thanks for sharing this very special video.  It made my day--

[rtperch]

Cool, a raptor rehabber! You folks are awesome! Thank YOU for doing what you do.

[MerchantofTarshish]

That kestrel looks that he got accustomed to free food all the time!

[101001avp]

@MrBullsh1t the kestrel is america's smallest falcon or otherwise sparrow hawk

[gilps1958]

this is the best vid I have evva seen ( boston accent :) the american kestral is my facebook group's photo ...... it was amazing watching that bird sooooooooooo totally trust you.....with camera running and all...what a gift from God.....thank you for sharing...i have subscribed to your channel....sincerely cheryl anne a/k/a gilps1958...

[oddcarl1]

It was kind of anti-climatic when she landed on a phone/power line 30ft away. Beautiful bird though, I used to see them in my area during the summer.

[visiongoober]

Great upload! me and my dad have trained kestrels in the past they are awesome birds plus all we had to feed them were mealworms!

[visiongoober]

Great upload! me and my dad have trained kestrals in the past and they are awesome birds plus all we had to feed them were mealworms!

[kancerbero88]

@MrBullsh1t the kestrel is a falco ... (falco sparveryus) -->American Kestrel

[ifaoduistheway]

You should falconry in USA,,Great for US Falconry Birds Lovers.,So the population keep growing too,,,The birds will be much more healthier...on the wild they just last 10 years,,,If you falconry they will last 30 years...its a shame...***The Human Ignorance ***..these birds never get domesticated,,,they stay wild,,,they just get tamed..if you decide to let them go they will survive....you just helping them,,THINK BIG USA.~~~~