This was pure luck. Last Thursday, I saw this kestrel right outside my window sitting in a tree 6 floors up. I've featured kestrels before on this site, but never this close. Kestrels - members of the falcon family - are raptors, just like hawks and eagles..............they tear their prey apart with their hooked beaks.
The difference is that the kestrel is about the size of a robin. It's the tiniest raptor - and maybe the cutest.
His (I'm pretty sure it's a male) back faced me throughout, but he managed to keep a constant eye or two on me, thanks to his ability to rotate his head 180 degrees.
I'd be surprised if I ever get better kestrel shots from my living room again.
Click to enlarge.