American Kestrel v. Red-shouldered Hawk

American Kestrel

This morning I returned to Central Winds and found an American Kestrel at the top of a goal post in the football field.  On the other end of the field was another goal post, and a Red-shouldered Hawk was occupying one side of the goal post.

Red-shouldered Hawk

As you can clearly see, this goal post is vastly superior to the one occupied by the Kestrel, so the Kestrel was obligated to take it for herself.  It had to be the side on which the hawk was perched, though.  The other side of this post just won't do.

In for the attack

So this is a dilemma.  What to do?  The hawk is much bigger than the kestrel, but that doesn't stop the kestrel from making a royal pest of herself.  She swooped the hawk several times until she finally succeeded in making it fly away.  Then she took the post for itself.  I saw this kestrel (I think it's the same one) do the exact same thing to an Osprey about a week ago.  You have to appreciate a bird that knows what she wants.

The first attack didn't quite work

Third Time's a Charm

He's Had Enough