Peregrine Falcon? (1 Viewer)

adampaul

I believe in God, only I spell it N.A.T.U.R.E. - F

• Sep 13, 2005

• #1

Hi again,

I'm ready to accept the attached as a Tundra? Peregrine Falcon, but if anyone can confirm/deny, I would appreciate it, as if it is a Peregrine, it's the only photo I have of one. I can't really make it out as anything else (Kestrels were present too, but this doesn't look at all right for a Kestrel, and was soaring high, with slow wingbeats), but it was faraway and flying very fast.

Photo was taken on 10 Sept near Mono Lake, California.

Thanks!
_Adam

 

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jforgham

Birding for fun

• Sep 13, 2005

• #2

adampaul said:

Hi again,

I'm ready to accept the attached as a Tundra? Peregrine Falcon, but if anyone can confirm/deny, I would appreciate it, as if it is a Peregrine, it's the only photo I have of one. I can't really make it out as anything else (Kestrels were present too, but this doesn't look at all right for a Kestrel, and was soaring high, with slow wingbeats), but it was faraway and flying very fast.

Photo was taken on 10 Sept near Mono Lake, California.

Thanks!
_Adam

Click to expand...

Hi,
Can rule out kestrel.Wing shape leads to peregrine but the head and beak shape look puzzling. However, I think these to be a trick of light/camera angle. If the wing beats were regular and deep with the bird flying in a straight line, relatively low then I would plump for peregrine. Having never stepped foot in the USA not familiar with species that may be similar, but from what you have here, I think peregrine. Had one over my house this August, a first for me.
Jono

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Sep 13, 2005

• #3

It does look rather pin-headed - assume it a camera effect. Its certainly not a Kestrel

 

Lucky Birder

Notts Birder

• Sep 13, 2005

• #4

Looks almost like a skua.

 

crispycreme

Well-known member

• Sep 13, 2005

• #5

Or some type of black headed gull.

 

Xenospiza

Distracted

• Sep 13, 2005

• #6

But if you look carefully you can confirm Peregrine. Check the black cap and "moustache" and white cheeks.

 

jforgham

Birding for fun

• Sep 13, 2005

• #7

[Check the black cap and "moustache" and white cheeks.[/QUOTE]

Hi Always wondered as to the whereabouts of the remaining Third Reich leaders.
Jono

 

adampaul

I believe in God, only I spell it N.A.T.U.R.E. - F

• Sep 13, 2005

• #8

Thanks everyone!

The bird was flying straight and fast, with steady wingbeats. It was pretty high overhead. Agree it's not a kestrel - we saw one there as well, and its wings flapped very quickly.

Didn't fly like a gull. The most likely gull in this area would be California; I learned that they're the only ones who can cope with the extreme saltiness of Mono Lake and enjoy its bounty of alkalai(?sp) flies, although others pass through (eg. a lone Bonaparte we also saw).

I'm not sure I can convince myself that there is a black moustache and white cheeks in the photo - maybe if I squint at it . Still looks pretty good for peregrine to me.

Thanks!
_Adam

 

S

sphinx79

Well-known member

• Sep 13, 2005

• #9

Looks fine for Peregrine to me. The lack of white on the cheek suggests a Pacific bird, which would be consistent with the S California location.

Rgds

Greg

 

E

Eli Thomas

New member

• Dec 4, 2005

• #10

I think it would be safe to say that it is a Peregrine Falcon, although the picture is sort of puzzling. Definatley not a Kestrel though.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Dec 4, 2005

• #11

I know I am on thin ice here, but that bill does not look like a falcon to me, more like an Asian Lapwing of some darkheaded sort. Each feather in the primaries look somewhat broad, and even more curious, for each it looks like there is a dark edge to a lighter feather -- could possibly be the backlighting, even though I have not found any picture of a falcon that shows this.

If it indeed is a falcon, there is a third option that needs to be ruled out: I have myself seen prairie falcon at Mono Lake. If the dark in the head is indeed a moustacial stripe, that probably is too broad for Prairie, but it needed to be mentioned.

Finally, a technical question: has this image been sharpened, and if so by how much?

cheers
Niels