Dec 26, 2019: Merlin

This female Merlin, a falcon, was first observed flying eastward along the south side of the south lake's west bay.  When I finally caught up with her, she was perched in a cottonwood, tearing off the feathers of a House Sparrow.  She was later found by the bluff area.  Merlins are slightly larger than American Kestrels. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 12/21/19)