Type of Bird?

[Panzerfaust]

Does anyone know what type of birds these are? I've seen them around my house and I've never been able to figure out what kinds they are. I don't know if it helps any but I live in southern California.

[huntress]

The top bird is a Lesser Goldfinch
The one on the yellow fence is a western Medowlark and the raptor looks like a Kestral depending on how big it is if its much bigger than a pigeon then its some kind of falcon - a Kestral is a small falcon of sorts that like to hover before catching prey. Do you see it hovering?

[Panzerfaust]

Thank you very much. That raptor is probably about the same size as a pidgon if not a little bit smaller. I haven't actually gotten to see it hunt before, but usually when I do see it it has already caught it's prey and is either sitting in a tree or on a light post.

[huntress]

Then its a Kestral. Your welcome. I love all kinds of birds but I will have to admit I did have to look up one of them,lol...the lesser... I knew it was a goldfinch as we have them here but I knew it was a different one because of the dark crown.
If Im not mistaken your Medowlark has a wonderful song with an "up" note at the end whereas ours has a sad melancholy sound that I love to hear in the summer.

[Panzerfaust]

We've all sorts of birds here. But I'd have to say my favorites are the ravens. They get pretty big here, too; I've seen them about the same size as an adult chicken, if not a little bigger.

The medowlark has a loud and distinct song which does sound alot like the one you described. Thanks again for your help :)

[Ashling]

Ravens are my favorite animal :) I am absolutely obsessed and have a Raven tattoo and I rehabilitated a baby one.
The kestral has a baby bird! :o wow

[Panzerfaust]

I've never actually seen a baby Raven that I know of. You're lucky!

I thought that looked like a little bird in its talons. Yesterday I saw one in that same tree that caught a lizard. All day yesterday and today so far they've (more than one) been landing in that tree and are making calls that make them sound angry and annoyed lol.