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 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CACPnx8UzegOMOkJuV38L5wxK-%3DH-2bnNKaT_wojt2mygtd3oAQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/8DEFC099E9CF4963AAEEA9819B365BE0%40jimPC. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
