[Umpqua Birds] Re: Falcon I.D.
- From: James Billstine <billstinj@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 20:28:06 -0800
I'll take a stab at an interesting bird.
Starting at the head, we have what appears to be a smallish head in
proportion to the body. The head cap looks very light in the clearer
picture, but proportionately as dark as the back in the blurrier one. In
neither does the dark portion seem to cover the eye, as a Peregrine's
"helmet" possibly would, which is interesting. There also appears to be
thin "sideburns" on the bird in both pictures.
The chest appears largish in both pictures, and there seems to be an
absence of strong visible barring. The barring appears weak and vertical,
which could be indicative of a juvenile Peregrine. The shoulders appear to
be broad. If the bird was fluffed up or getting ready to take flight it
could explain away what seems like a valuable mark for a gyrfalcon.
It is very difficult to see where the tail is exactly. If I turn my head
one way it looks comically large, and another way and it looks very small.
I think your view of it through the scope and the description of the size,
my Dunne guide says larger female gyrfalcons can be the size of a
rough-legged hawk. As the Peregrine Technical coordinator I am sure you
have seen many more Peregrines than I have and would have reason to doubt
from your sighting that it isn't a peregrine, which it "should be."
The only thing keeping me from agreeing with what I think your
hypothesizing the bird being is the fuzziness of the picture, the lighting,
and the branches obscuring parts of the bird. I'm not good enough to make a
judgment, but I think your looks in the field give you enough reason to
doubt that the bird is a Peregrine.
On Thu, Jan 15, 2015 at 5:19 PM, Gayner, Elizabeth <egayner@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hey Birders,
>
> During our annual midwinter bald eagle survey (from Glide to Elkton) this
> past Tuesday, I observed a falcon out on North Bank Road at 4.0 miles from
> the bridge on the east (Glide) end of North Bank Road or 12,4 miles from
> the west (Wilbur) end of North Bank Road. I have attached three (fuzzy)
> photos... they are not great at all since the bird was a good distance away
> (550-600 meters) and I couldn't keep a steady hand zoomed in. What I can
> tell ya, it was a BIG bulky falcon... at least the size of a large female
> red-tailed hawk. We were doing an eagle survey and my coworker thought it
> was an eagle (based on size) when she first saw it and when we finally were
> able to find a safe place to park, this is the view we had of the bird. I
> tried to take photos through the scope (forgot its camera adapter of
> course), but no luck. When I took my eye away from the scope, it had flown
> off and out of sight (probably behind the ridge it was sitting on) and we
> both missed it in flight.
>
> Please send me your thoughts on the species identification. I have
> referenced several raptor books, pictures online, and other references, and
> it only reinforces my determination. But, before making a final
> determination I wanted to get input on the pictures from others.
>
> Hope others get a chance to see it. It was on the north side of the road
> when we observed it. I may try to go out and find it again on Friday
> (tomorrow)... although, probably like looking for a needle in a haystack.
> But one never knows.
>
> Other birds of interest at 12.7 miles from the bridge on the Glide end or
> 3.7 from the Wilbur end of North Bank Road (this is nearly always a "hot
> spot" for lots of raptors at one time with pretty good number of species
> too), we had 8 red-tailed hawks, a harrier, Merlin, and turkey vulture.
> Also had 8 turkey vultures on Old Garden Valley Road. Had an average count
> (68 raptors - primarily red-tails and a few kestrels) compared to past
> years on number of raptors observed in general. Lowest count of eagles
> with one golden and three bald eagles.
>
> Thanks in advance. I look forward to your input!
>
> Good birding,
>
>
> *Liz*
>
>
>
> *Elizabeth I. Gayner*
>
> *OR/WA BLM Peregrine Falcon Technical Coordinator*
>
> *Lead Wildlife Biologist - Swiftwater Field Office*
>
> Bureau of Land Management - Roseburg District Office
>
> Phone: (541) 464-3381; egayner@xxxxxxx
>
>
>
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