A magical moment during the last few seconds of sunset light.

American Kestrel Falcon Falco sparverius

American Kestrel Falcon Falco sparverius

The scientific name comes from the Latin word falco, meaning hook-shaped (falcate) and may refer to the beak or claws, and espervier, the Latinized French word for a sparrow hawk and probably refers to its size and prey. The American Kestrel has been called a Sparrow Hawk, Killy Hawk (for the sound they make), or Windhover (for their ability to hover).

American Kestrels are found throughout most of North, Central, and South America. They inhabit tropical lowlands, deserts, urban areas, and open-altered lands, such as agricultural fields. With this in mind it explains why they are common at the Viera Wetlands.

Masked Duck Visits Ritch Grissom Wetlands

The Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) is an irruptive and irregular species in the United States. We may go a number of years without any reports, then other years the species may be easily found. It is a tropical duck that prefers warm climates with ponds and waterways that are covered with vegetation. It is a diving duck that submerges to feed.