[Umpqua Birds] Re: Falcon I.D.
- From: "Gayner, Elizabeth" <egayner@xxxxxxx>
- To: <umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 10:46:21 -0800
Thanks to those of you that responded thus far. Still waiting for more
input before I say what I think it is. I just didn't want to bias
people's input by saying so ahead of time. But what I do know, it was
not a peregrine. :0)
On 1/15/15, James Billstine <billstinj@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>
--
*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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