American Kestrel at feeders (1 Viewer)

[Sylvaniusdreams]

Hello all,

I am sure this isn't the first topic about hawks stalking backyard feeders, but I wanted to ask anyway. My husband and I recently bought a starling proof (caged) bird feeder. I've been ever so excited over the past day or so as the little warblers and chickadees started coming around to eat the suet cakes. This evening I had a bit of a surprise when an American Kestrel came flying down and grabbed a bird through the holes in the feeder. It didn't even have stand a chance. Our feeder is hanging on a lower branch from a large aspen in our front yard. Is it common for hawks to attack caged feeders? Is there anything my husband and I can do to help the little birdies stay safe? Any suggestions will be welcome. (I know hawks are birds of prey and this will continue to happen, I just want to give the little guys a better chance if I can)

Thank you!

 

[Sangahyando]

The only thing I can think about off the top of my head would be to place the feeder in a way that there is some cover nearby, preferrably bushes of some sort (as long as it doesn't help cats or other ground predators). On the other hand, the tree you have should provide some of the cover already. Normally it's "proper" hawks that camp the feeders, though, not kestrels. Seems a bit unusual.

 

[fugl]

Agree, sounds more like Sharp-shinned Hawk behavior than kestrel. My guess (FWIW) is that the cage might make it harder for the small fry to escape--a split-second delay can make all the difference--so maybe your best option would be to get rid of the cage and learn to live with the starlings?

 

[Sylvaniusdreams]

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j192/Sylvaniusdreams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsaw1hr5vn.jpeg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j192/Sylvaniusdreams/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsjcs1129x.jpeg

These are links to the pictures of the bird on my feeder. I've seen birds slip in and out pretty quickly. I also thought that caged feeders were suppose to help protect the little birdies from predators.

 

[Sangahyando]

Well you're right, that's definitely an American Kestrel. Interesting behaviour, would've thought that only Sharpies and similar hawks do that (their long legs would come in handy when reaching through the bars).

 

[fugl]

Well, kestrel all right, I never would have believed it! Maybe a second set of screens placed a suitable distance back from the first would do the trick? Should be easy enough to jerry rig.