Immature American Kestrel at Petrified Forest National Park

Our recent journey through the Colorado Plateau brought us to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. There was plenty of geology and archaeology at the park, but when we reached the Puerco River Pueblo, I grabbed a sandwich and walked down the banks of the creek to see what kinds of birds were out and about. There were dozens of swallows flying about the river bridge, some ravens, and a few doves. But one bird was watching me. I felt uncomfortably like food. It was an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). The spotted breast told me it was an immature bird.