The American Kestrel, seen here dining on a House Finch, is America's smallest falcon -- about the size of a Mourning Dove.  A migratory bird, it was a regular visitor to this tree during the Spring and Autumn.  Although the beautiful American Kestrel is a personable bird, they proved vexing to us due to our efforts to sustain the House Finch population in these parts (The House Finch is the last remaining songbird in City Birds Country, the Heart of San Francisco.).

Not for lack of food, the Kestrel suddenly disappeared from these parts and we have not spotted one since 2000.  NOTE:  The tree on which this American Kestrel is feeding has been sawed down.

This photo was first published October 23, 2006 by City Birds.