ML597204761

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Continuing bird first located/seen by Russell Kokx and reported by others regularly since then. Small-to-medium-sized raptor with sharply hooked bill, orange-red eyes, and dark smudges in front of eyes. Mostly gray plumage (lighter gray on head and breast, darker gray on ‘shoulders’ and wings) with a few white spots (mostly on back) and rich reddish-brown primaries. Swift, acrobatic flyer with pointed wings. Seemingly hunting and eating dragonflies, as others have noted. Occasionally observed engaging in the funny behavior of tilting its head almost completely upside down. (Unsure if this is something the species does, in general, or is unique to this bird.) Spent most of its time perched in its “favorite” evergreen around here: 36.6111340, -118.0621689. Occasionally flew to its next-favorite tree around here: 36.6097660, -118.0615215. (Thanks to Logan Kahle for posting those same coordinates in an earlier report. And many thanks to Barbara Kelley for all the helpful information and updates!) Photos.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P1000

ISO

320

Flash

Flash did not fire

Dimensions

2127 pixels x 2836 pixels

Original file size

3.51 MB