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Thanks Curlybird.  I never did see any of them again, and I have left there now, so the others will always be a mystery.  At least I'll recognize a spotted sandpiper next time.  :)

It's funny that I got that right because I thought I knew kestrels well enough to easily recognize them, but I recently posted a photo of a hawk eating a vole because I didn't think it was a kestrel.  Turns out it was after all.  So, honestly, I'm not sure what looked kestrel-y about it to me.  The wings are roughly kestrel ...

 I'm currently traveling in southwestern Idaho and trying to decide where next to go for the best birding (and wildlife viewing in general).   I'd like suggestions for anything within a few hundred miles in any direction of here (east of Boise). In fact, I'd love to hear about any great birding or wildlife viewing any time of year ...

You're welcome.  I'm glad I could help.

I think my search results are different from yours, but I did search a lot of photos, and some look a bit duller than I'm used to.  Most were what I am used to seeing though -- a tiny, brightly colored hawk sitting quite vertically with head low and feathers slightly ruffled.  I think the tricks of light, point of reference for size, and ...

I think I found it.  Try Eastern screech owl.  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Screech-Owl/id

I thought I knew kestrels, but if you both think it is, and the tail bobbing is indicative of the species, then I'm sure you're right.  Thank you.   I can't see the photo on the link you posted, Randy.  It says it's ''forbidden'' and I don't have access.  Rats! 

That's the second or third one I've seen since joining this forum just a few weeks ago, but yours is the prettiest. I read somewhere recently that there are several feral populations of this bird in the US, but I must have read it online because my books don't cover it.  If you google the name, you might find more information about a ...

Well, that's what I thought it was until I saw it with my binoculars -- a female kestrel, but the color is wrong, and I think it's too big.  It appears to be grey over its whole back.  I've seen lots of kestrels, and they always look very colorful.  This guy seemed pretty dull.  Wish I could have seen its tail.   

Southwestern Idaho, tonight.  My best guess is an adult male taiga merlin in migration.  He wasn't much bigger than a kestrel, and he wags his tail up and down continually while eating.  It's a peculiar behavior I have never seen before.  I have a short video that I can upload somewhere if you want to see it.  He's ...