Except for suet I don't use hanging bird feeders anymore but instead put seed
on the ground fresh daily. Starlings have been part of the backyard feeder
birds today probably because of the snow cover. I happened to look out the
window at the right time this morning to see a male kestrel on the snowy ground
with one set of talons holding the starling. I think the starling had just
expired because the kestrel began feeding on the starling's head about a minute
after I noticed it.. The kestrel ate the entire head and then flew off with the
headless body about 50 yards across the hay field to the forest edge. The heavy
load prevented the kestrel from flying more than about 2 feet above ground.
Wish I could have observed the initial attack!
Scott Freidhof
Rowan County
