Lost male kestrel in WA

[SimoneBird]

Please be on the lookout for a male American Kestrel with jesses in the Seattle area. He was chased away by crows yesterday afternoon while flying. He was trying to come back/land but the crows were all over him. Last seen headed south from 15th Ave NE and 89th St. NE. Please call 206-229-7643 if you think you see him or hear about any kestrel sightings.

[borderhawk]

wow, that sucks. I am so sorry to hear that. Keep going back, checking the surrounding areas and calling for him. If he has a hard time finding good meals you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting him back. But if he finds some good food sources, he may write you off. Good luck!

[SimoneBird]

I've put about 6hrs of searching in now. Looked for him for the two hours before it got dark after he was chased off, Waterbug and I got up super early this morning and looked for him, then midday I walked around like a crazy person with a lure, whistle and garnished glove and 3 friends just came over to help me look this evening. No sign of the little bugger I hope he is finding food... I have a lot of friends in the are who are into birds so they are all on the lookout. A kbird in the middle of Seattle would be an odd sight. Falconry sure has its ups and downs.

[SimoneBird]

Well, I got the kestrel back yesterday evening via two friends who are raptor researchers in the Seattle area. He is weak but is eating and putting crops over. I got up every hour last night to give him fluids and tiny bits of food. We're not out of the woods yet but he is looking better than yesterday and is very interested in food. Never a dull moment.

[ikcus]

Outstanding news. I am glad he is back and interested in food.

Joe

[m4tt]

Props Simone...

After Aure told me you guys didnt see a sign of him the other day, i feared the worst for the little dude.

-Matt

[SimoneBird]

Thanks guys. He is getting better bit by bit. I think it will take about a week until he is back to his old self though. Whew.

[Migisi]

I'm really happy you got your K back. How did your researcher friends find him? Just curious.

[SimoneBird]

He's pretty much back to his old self now. Flying to the glove again, etc.
My friend does a lot of research in Seattle and surrounding areas. The guy who found Wesley (kbird) called someone but they couldn't come get the bird. Somehow (probably internet) he found my friend's info and called him and my friend (who is an hour north of Seattle) called another researcher in Seattle who picked up Wesley and brought him to me! It was a group effort for sure and just in time as I think another hour or so and he would have been a goner. I have a feeling he wasn't hunting at all and was being chased by crows nonstop. He had two tail feathers pulled out as well as some shoulder feathers. Doing great now though.

[chrismt89]

Grats on getting him back i hope he gets better soon!

[borderhawk]

So, did they find him weak and approachable, or did they call him down? How low was he when you got him back?

[SimoneBird]

He was weak and the person just picked him up off his car. He didn't have any raptor/falconry experience although the person who got the first call does have that experience. He was just too far away to get the bird quickly enough. His flight weight is 91 grams, he was at weight when I was flying him but he had about 6 tidbits before he got chased off. When I got him back I immediately gave him Pedialyte and a tiny bit of food (quail liver). After those two things he weighed 86 grams. I would guess he was low 80's when I found him. He did throw a casting that had what looked like insect parts in it but it was a tiny casting, about the size of a tictac. He's up to 95 grams now and I've been feeding him about four times a day.