Falcon ID Needed At Cute Overload--STAT!
Okay, I need the help from my readers overseas. There's an adorable falcon photo over at Cute Overload and no one knows the ID. I'm thinking Common Kestrel (or Falco tinnunculus) but this is not a falcon I see every day. Can anyone else id it? If not, just enjoy the cute photo!
Oh, and brace yourselves for some hot hooded merganser action coming in the next 12 hours. I got some killer shots this morning!
Oh, and brace yourselves for some hot hooded merganser action coming in the next 12 hours. I got some killer shots this morning!
posted by birdchick at 4:32 PM
5 Comments:
I will definately say a kestrel. We have them all over here and I nearly cause car accidents each time I see one. Not like the accident I nearly caused two days ago when I saw a kildeer on the freeway easement. Kestrels are wonderful birds to watch and so small! My mom saw one & said it was a 'baby' red tail. Course, she also thinks Starlings are baby crows! I told her, "Mom, baby crows LOOK like crows". Sharon, can you tell me if they actually hover? I think they do, but they are usually to high up for me to tell & my field guides are mum on it.
oh duh, yes, the kestrel hovering, not the crows. sorry
Yes, definitely a kestrel. I *think* European, not American -- the Euro kestrel seems to have more of the "pantaloon" feathers down its legs.
I had an American Kestrel fly beside me on a bike ride recently - I rode past the telephone pole where he'd been; he flew about 50 yards further down; I caught up, he flew off... we did this several times. It was great.
Baroos seem to be a falcon thing; I work at a wildlife rehab/education center (Hawk Creek Wildlife Center) and we have a Gyrfalcon that baroos whenever anyone goes in his enclosure.
Kestrel, adult male. I don't have my bird books here in my office so I may need to check this answer later.
However, the most striking part is the light trailing edge of the wing. American kestrels don't have it, nor do Australian kestrels, but the European does. Other features such as belly striping also suggest Falco tinnunculus. I will check my African bird books at home to see if there is any kestrel that has similar features.
Faucon Lanier?
Just a guess, it's hard to tell without a side view on its head or wings...
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