An American Kestrel was moving from a favorite perch on the edge of the river to the edge of a bar in the middle of the river where it would hover while looking for prey.
I'm a student pilot. Today my instructor and I witnessed this for the very first time from a pair of kestrels while we were waiting to take off. Surreal. And concerning, because they were hovering where airplanes were descending to land. I won't soon forget it.
I saw this a few days back and couldn't believe it. I had no idea that some birds could even hover like that. I'm a wildlife freak, too. I thought it was a kite because we were on a large hill at a park where they fly em often, but when I saw it stop hovering and flew around a bit, I was shocked. lol. It did that a few times. Finally figured out what bird it was a few mins ago for sure and this vid is exactly what I saw from about 50 yards away around dusk. Too cool!
I'm in Raymond Washington and just saw one hovering next to a house then he went backwards and darted back in just hovering there looked to be building something in the gutters of a neighbors house. But before i could get my phone out it took off flying straight up then took off.... I searched for a bit on birds that could hover like this and all I could find was humming birds.... Im glad this video exists.... thought maybe I was going crazy... but this is definitely the bird! Thanks for this awesome video!
It's astonishing how it can keep its head perfectly still like that. What a beautiful creature.
I'm a student pilot. Today my instructor and I witnessed this for the very first time from a pair of kestrels while we were waiting to take off. Surreal. And concerning, because they were hovering where airplanes were descending to land. I won't soon forget it.
They are such cool birds. Watch in particular how the head doesn't even move. The body is constantly adjusting to keep the head still.
I saw this a few days back and couldn't believe it. I had no idea that some birds could even hover like that. I'm a wildlife freak, too. I thought it was a kite because we were on a large hill at a park where they fly em often, but when I saw it stop hovering and flew around a bit, I was shocked. lol. It did that a few times. Finally figured out what bird it was a few mins ago for sure and this vid is exactly what I saw from about 50 yards away around dusk. Too cool!
I'm in Raymond Washington and just saw one hovering next to a house then he went backwards and darted back in just hovering there looked to be building something in the gutters of a neighbors house. But before i could get my phone out it took off flying straight up then took off.... I searched for a bit on birds that could hover like this and all I could find was humming birds.... Im glad this video exists.... thought maybe I was going crazy... but this is definitely the bird! Thanks for this awesome video!
Thank you! You're not crazy! Kestrels are awesome birds.
God falcons
What they lack in size make up with their pristine precision
Like a hummingbird lol
Hi Scott, Are you able to share the County, State location for this? Thank you!
Kittitas County, WA