r/birding • u/Solar-System-9 • 18h ago

📷 Photo The Kestrel “Hover”.

Post image

Deep crop from Gilbert, AZ.

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6

u/LongShadowMaker 13h ago

This is such an incredible behavior to witness. I've been trying to learn about other birds who do this that I could try to observe. I believe that the Northern Harrier does it also. Any other birds I should be looking out for? I live in the PNW.

6

u/Solar-System-9 13h ago

I’ve seen Osprey and Belted Kingfishers do this also. You have to be quick with the Kingfishers though as they can be pretty erratic (and they move fast).

5

u/mymaya 10h ago

I’ve seen Osprey, harriers, and just recently a hawk (I think red tailed but could have been a coopers, it was pretty far away) of some kind hovering! All in the PNW.

1

u/Darmok47 2h ago

The White Tailed Kite does it.

6

u/OlyTDI 7h ago

The technique is called Kiting.