Falcon ID, Prairie Falcon, Beijing, China?? (1 Viewer)

L

Littleblue

New member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #1

I photographed this falcon on 10th March, near a reservoir in the north of Beijing, China.

I thought it was a male Saker Falcon but it's very small, maybe just around 35cm (just slightly larger than a Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus nearby, or approximately the same size with a Kestrel ssp interstinctus )

I have never seen such a confusing small 'Saker Falcon'.

Could it be a Prairie Falcon from N. America?

Thanks

 

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C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #2

Here are pictures of one posted here this past March 11.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=252493&highlight=Prairie+Falcon

 

Jacana

Will Jones

• Mar 16, 2013

• #3

Merlin

 

S

Sangahyando

Well-known member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #4

Small size and compact shape indicate Merlin. A somewhat similar falcon in the region would be the Amur Falcon (which is more like a Kestrel in proportions). Prairie Falons are much bigger AFAIK.

 

Last edited: Mar 16, 2013

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Mar 16, 2013

• #5

I've no idea how are sub-species of Merlin in Eastern Asia, but I'm surprised of: length of tail for a Merlin (too long); width of the moustache; dark under-wing coverts.

Is very little individual Saker is not an option? I don't rely on size, even when obvious.

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Mar 16, 2013

• #6

That doesn't look like a merlin to me either. Structure, very well defined and isolated moustache and virtually unmarked flight feathers would be weird to say the least.

Saker looks like a better option.

Having said that, the fact that the bird looked justed marginally larger than a Lanius shrike is even weirder!

 

rockfowl

Mark Andrews

• Mar 16, 2013

• #7

Personally, I think its a Saker, look at the dark pattern visible on the underwing coverts and dark barred flank feathers, head pattern etc

FWIW, Chinese Grey Shrike is a very big Lanius and atmospheric conditions within the region regularly create instances of size illusion.

 

McMadd

You should see the other bloke...

• Mar 16, 2013

• #8

rockfowl said:

atmospheric conditions within the region regularly create instances of size illusion.

Click to expand...

We don't have atmosphere here remember...wanna buy a pig? One careful owner...ready washed in fine and pure Huangpo waters...;D

McM up late to see if we can actually do da biz after Everton lendeded a hand

 

T

Terry Townshend

Regular vagrant

• Mar 17, 2013

• #9

I agree with Mark that this falcon looks like a Saker. The contrasting dark underwing coverts, face pattern and overall colouration suggest Saker to me. It's a good time of year for them at Miyun, too.