The Twins have a new star outfielder - Kirby the Kestrel

my Fox twin cities ^ | 5-11-10 | fox 9

[WOBBLY BOB]

MINNEAPOLIS - The Twins have a feathered fan at Target Field. During a game last week fans spotted a bird catching a moth, and then eating on top of the right field foul pole.

The bird is an American Kestrel -- a type of falcon.

A contest was held this weekend to name the bird, and Kirby the kestrel was the winner, in honor of Kirby Puckett

[WOBBLY BOB]

Kirby Kestrel ping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sglCuyWTm6U

[Man50D]

Sure the Kestrel can catch a moth but can it flies?

[WOBBLY BOB]

I think the kestrel should replace TC bear as the mascot...TC has giant head syndrome like Barry Bonds. TC Bear is juicing- the only reason he wins all the home run contests.

[Hot Tabasco]

Now that is cool! I love Kestrels and the other birds of prey......

[camle]

Kirby? that sucks!

[SWAMPSNIPER]

My neighbor who owned hayfields up the road died last winter, the fields are growing up in scrub and the Kestrels I loved to watch don't hunt around here anymore.

When the cover is too thick they can't see their prey.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Same here. I’ve actually bought a book about falconry, but it looks to be a very expensive endeavor.

[IYAS9YAS]

When the cover is too thick they can't see their prey.

Spotted owls have the same problem.

[I Buried My Guns]

Named after Kirby Puckett?

Does the bird have an enormous butt?

[Hot Tabasco]

, but it looks to be a very expensive endeavor.

The site below has a lot of information on falconry as well as tons of pictures in their Gallery link.

The sport is highly regulated and you have to "intern" with a falconer for several years before you are given permission to obtain a pird of prey.

I think the law here in Michigan is that they allow the trapping of 25 birds per year by lottery drawing only.

From all that I've read on the sport, you've got to be prepared to devote more time to the bird than to your spouse.....LOL!

Michigan Hawking Club

[West Texas Chuck]

Right On! We have a bunch of ‘em here in north Texas, mostly in the winter I guess. Absolutely beautiful animal viewed through binocs.

We got a bunch of raptors here: various hawks, Kestrels and Merlins, owls, even the occasional bald eagle. To heck with chichi birds, give me the ones with talons.