zbird Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I didn't manage to get a picture, but I saw an interesting bird. It was circling overhead in Northern Alaska this afternoon. I thought it was a jaeger at first, but when I looked at it through my binoculars it was falcon-shaped and solid gray. It had a short, fanned tail and smallish, thin wings, and a hooked beak. I looked at possible species, but it looked too gray to be a peregrine falcon and too small to be a gyrfalcon. I didn't get the best look at it, so I could be wrong. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 What was the nearest town? I want to know exactly where in N Alaska this is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbird Posted June 10, 2021 Author Share Posted June 10, 2021 This was on the North Slope, near Barrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 2 hours ago, zbird said: This was on the North Slope, near Barrow. Jaegers have dark and intermediate morphs… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 Wait, I have an idea. Merlin? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbird Posted June 11, 2021 Author Share Posted June 11, 2021 My first thought was jaeger, but it had a hawk-ish face when I saw it through my binoculars. It could be a merlin! I guess it could also still be a gyrfalcon or a peregrine falcon - since it was so high up, I didn't have a great reference for its actual size. Maybe I'll see it again when I have my camera with me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, zbird said: My first thought was jaeger, but it had a hawk-ish face when I saw it through my binoculars. It could be a merlin! I guess it could also still be a gyrfalcon or a peregrine falcon - since it was so high up, I didn't have a great reference for its actual size. Maybe I'll see it again when I have my camera with me! Btw, which Jaeger is your profile photo? Pomarine? Edited June 11, 2021 by Seanbirds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hasan Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 2 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: Btw, which Jaeger is your profile photo? Pomarine? That's an osprey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 7 minutes ago, Hasan said: That's an osprey Whoops! ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbird Posted June 11, 2021 Author Share Posted June 11, 2021 Yep, Osprey! Just a low quality picture of one ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 3 hours ago, Hasan said: That's an osprey 17 minutes ago, zbird said: Yep, Osprey! Just a low quality picture of one ? Aren’t Ospreys Jeagers? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 3 hours ago, Seanbirds said: Aren’t Ospreys Jeagers? Definitely a close retaliative. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpa Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Kevin said: Definitely a close retaliative. You can figure out just how close (or far) here https://www.onezoom.org/life/@Pandion_haliaetus=509837 Edited June 11, 2021 by neilpa 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 52 minutes ago, neilpa said: You can figure out just how close (or far) here https://www.onezoom.org/life/@Pandion_haliaetus=509837 Wow! That’s cool! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 15 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: Wow! That’s cool! Agreed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now