The extent of black spotting on the underparts may be age related. This is from the species account in Birds of North America online -- "Considerable disagreement on how much of the variability in kestrel plumage is age-related. Bent ( Bent 1938b ) suggested that males become less barred dorsally, less spotted ventrally, with a more rufous tail through successive molts; Parkes ( Parkes 1955a ) presented contrary evidence."
Jim Nelson
Bethesda, Maryland
From: Susan Rosine
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 7:19 PM
To: Colorado Birds
Subject: [cobirds] Unusual Kestrel in Adams County
I was on a little road near Thornton, and came across an American Kestrel dining on roadkill. He would fly to a tree on the side of the road when a car would come along, and then go back for more.
-- The unusual thing was, he had no black speckles except a few on the sides, and lots of orange on chest and belly. Is he a subspecies?
Susan Rosine
Thornton
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