Unknown falcon - Slovakia (1 Viewer)

Carpathian Ed

Well-known member

• May 25, 2020

• #1

Hi guys
I've got as far as identifying this one as a falcon (and I hate to keep saying 'Saker') but I need help properly identifying it. Very distinct light coloured head. it really made me think 'desert' but out here is quite the opposite.
It was taken in North East Slovakia using a potato for a camera, unfortunately.

 

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PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• May 25, 2020

• #2

Perhaps Red-footed Falcon

 

opisska

rabid twitcher

• May 25, 2020

• #3

I am not completely convinced that it can't be a poor photo of a Kestrel. In any case, it's a "small" falcon, that is Kestrel, or maybe Red-footed or Merlin or something like that, but definitely not a Saker or Peregrine.

 

Hotspur

James Spencer

• May 25, 2020

• #4

Female RFF

 

Carpathian Ed

Well-known member

• May 25, 2020

• #5

it's definitely not a Saker...
It's not a Merlin and it's not a red-footed. It's not a kestrel as it has different facial markings and colouring (plus kestrels are one of the most common birds and easily identifiable). This was a bird I've only seen once. I've attached a kestrel and a lesser kestrel for comparison

 

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Carpathian Ed

Well-known member

• May 25, 2020

• #6

Hostpur - i think you might be right. I didn't check the female....