MWM Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Very distant shots on a dark, cloudy day. Wondering if possible to ID (first thought was a Merlin, now not sure). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanager 101 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 I'm pretty confident this is a Peregrine Falcon, not a Merlin. If you look closely at the first photo you can see the prominent mustache. Merlins tend to have a weaker mustache. Not that this next thing is reliable, but I feel a Merlin would be smaller in comparison to the branches and tree. It may just be the photo lighting, but an East coast New York Merlin's back would be paler. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Merlin for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWM Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 I had just seen a Merlin about 1/2 mile before seeing this bird, but on the computer this just didn't quite look the same. Of course both Merlin & Peregrine are relatively common for this area, making it harder to rule out either one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 (edited) 29 minutes ago, Tanager 101 said: If you look closely at the first photo you can see the prominent mustache. Maybe you do. To me, the head looks almost uniformly dark, although that does have me agreeing with Peregrine. The body looks very heavily streaked, pulling me toward Merlin. Falcon sp. Edited January 21 by Charlie Spencer 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 I’m with @Charlie Spencer on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Merlin for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Merlin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 30 minutes ago, Avery said: Merlin for me.  4 minutes ago, IKLland said: Merlin. For my knowledge, what makes this a Merlin? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 For me it’s mostly GISS…it’s hard to explain but there’s definitely a structural difference between Peregrine and Merlin. I’d love to see what @Averyhas to say about it though because I’m curious how he/she made their decision for the future. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 1 minute ago, IKLland said: For me it’s mostly GISS…it’s hard to explain but there’s definitely a structural difference between Peregrine and Merlin. I can feel the GISS I guess. 1 minute ago, IKLland said: I’d love to see what @Averyhas to say about it though because I’m curious how he/she made their decision for the future. So would I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 45 minutes ago, Snake Fingers said: Â For my knowledge, what makes this a Merlin? Thanks. GISS. Structural mostly. If you compare photos of Merlin and Peregrine Falcon perched, you can kind of see the difference. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 (edited) As others have said, GISS is a big factor for me, especially when they are perched. When they are flying it’s a bit harder for me. But the round compact body, small square head and thinner mustache all point to Merlin. Here’s some reference shots that kinda show the body structure. It’s kind of like SSHA vs COHA for me.  Edited January 21 by Avery 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Falcon sp. This isn't truly identifiable in my mind. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 I lean toward Merlin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 (edited) I can't refute the GISS argument. I've seen two Merlin and no Peregrines. Can I toss a fluffed-up accipiter in for consideration? Edited January 22 by Charlie Spencer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 1 hour ago, Charlie Spencer said: Can I toss a fluffed-up accipiter in for consideration? Hmmm that could be it perhaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 The GISS screams Merlin at me, and it's not giving me an accipiter feel at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Fingers Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Yeah Merlin for me also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird-Boys Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Merlin/American Kestrel. I wouldn't go farther than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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