Raptor ID - Ottawa, ON (1 Viewer)

[Gillian_M]

I saw this bird sitting on a beaver lodge a week ago here in Ottawa. I didn't have my scope which would have been really useful in this situation given the distance. I tentatively ID'ed it as a juv. Peregrine Falcon at the time. Can anyone confirm or correct this? Interestingly, a smaller falcon was also in the area behind it - at least when it flew I could confidently ID that one as a falcon!

Thanks!

 

[Jim M.]

Looks good for a dark Taiga Merlin. Note the tail pattern in the last two pics. Peregrine would have a stronger moustache, more pronounced "helmet", and narrower tail bands.

Best,
Jim

 

[steveo]

Looks more like a Merlin to me with the wide bands on the tail.

 

[Peter C.]

Based on the tail pattern, and the face, I would call this a young Merlin. The banding on the tail is indicative of Merlin, and young Merlin has a less distinct "mustache" than the adult's, which could explain why it's not showing well in the photos.

(Peregrine's tail never has wide black bands like this.)

Interestingly, a smaller falcon was also in the area behind it - at least when it flew I could confidently ID that one as a falcon!

Thanks!

If this is a female (can't tell, but it could be), the smaller falcon you saw could have been a male of the same species (there's quite a bit of difference between the sexes). Or perhaps you saw a young Kestrel - I have, on rare occasion, seen Kestrels harassing Merlins before. (Seems a foolhardy thing to do, but there you are.)

Peter C.

 

[Gillian_M]

Thanks for your comments. From a distance the bird seemed much larger than a merlin, which is why I immediately settled on Peregrine (after ruling out harrier, accipiter, etc.). The facial markings didn't seem quite right, however, which is why I doubted myself. I just wasn't sure given the strong sunlight and the distance.

The other falcon wasn't harrassing it. It was sitting on a branch, then would fly down to the ground and come back up and sit on the branch again for a while. Then it flew around again. I wasn't sure if it was actually smaller or if being further away it just seemed smaller. Just goes to show how tricky it is to judge size at a distance!