SirVive Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Steigerwald NWLR a week or so ago - pretty much open floodplain, marsh grass, spotty cottonwoods type terrain. Got a pretty good long look at the bird perched and was pretty much settled on Merlin until I realized that imm sharpies can also have similar vertical breast streaking - and about that time it left. Didn't know about the eye color thing until later. Nearly the same size, perhaps a tad larger than a kestrel that was in the same tree. Mostly my question is about behavior - when the bird took off it flew quite quickly but smoothly straight over my head for just a quick glance and then went into a long glide until it disappeared over the dike a few seconds later. I don't have much experience at all with Merlin, will they ever do that glide or is that rare enough to clinch my current leaning towards sharpie? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 I’ve seen both glide. Wing shape would be your best bet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 Tail pattern helps me immensely - the thin white bands on a Merlin is often easy to see with the naked eye. Can Northern Harrier be ruled out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Friedman Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 Could a Merlin possibly be in the same tree as another raptor and not attack it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 20 minutes ago, Jerry Friedman said: Could a Merlin possibly be in the same tree as another raptor and not attack it? Sure, as long as it’s not nesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Friedman Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 3 minutes ago, Avery said: Sure, as long as it’s not nesting. Thanks. I was remembering Hawks in Flight, by Dunne, Sibley, and Sutton, which says "Merlins ... will go well out of their way to harass other birds of prey. Rule of thumb: if a bird passes a perched raptor and doesn't take a shot at it, it isn't a Merlin." (Italics in original.) 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 (edited) I just watched the videos on Raptor ID app for both, and Sharpie was the only one that showed any kind of glide. I believe most of the videos are from migration though where they would get a chance to glide. I’d be surprised to see a Sharpie glide from takeoff. Every time I see them takeoff they act like something is following after them trying to shoot them down. Edited December 24, 2022 by chipperatl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirVive Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 On 12/24/2022 at 1:19 PM, chipperatl said: I’d be surprised to see a Sharpie glide from takeoff. It was probably 50 yds after takeoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirVive Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 My gut says imm sharpie is the best option but I went ahead and posted it as an annoying 'diurnal raptor' 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirVive Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 On 12/24/2022 at 9:55 AM, Jerry Friedman said: Could a Merlin possibly be in the same tree as another raptor and not attack it? Good question - there was also a crow in the same tree but keeping his distance. I would guess a merlin wouldn't even tolerate him for long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.