Utah, USA falcon (1 Viewer)

[bfwatcher]

This shot was taken yesterday in Ogden, Utah. I think it is a Merlin Falcon. Sibley's Guide lists Merlin-Prairie and Prairie Falcon as two different populations. Any clarification on the ID would be appreciated.

 

[Jane Turner]

You have a Merlin (Falco columbarius) here. Prairie Falcon is an altogether larger and more Peregrine-like bird.

http://biology.usgs.gov/wro/backyard/images/subjects/ID-FRESC Prairie Falcon.jpg

The Prairie Merlin referred to in Sibley will be F. c. richardsonii, is a race of Merlin. I'm not able to sub-specifically ID your bird.

 

[Larry Lade]

I agree with Jane that this is a Merlin.

There are three (3) subspecies of Merlin encountered in the US.
Pacific race, Falco columbarius suckleyi, (darkest plumage)
Taiga race, Falco columbarius columbarius, (medium plumage)
Prairie race, Falco columbarius richardsoni, (lighest plumage)

I believe you bird is the Taiga race variety, owing to the medium coloration of the plumage.

 

[bfwatcher]

Thanks.
The "weak moustache" that the bird has would also indicate the Taiga race.

 

[jerkin]

Hi Bfwatcher yep that's a Merlin alright dint know much about the North American Merlins but I believe they are larger than the European birds

 

[talon_dfa]

In Utah, all three sub-species of Merlin are found during winter and are described by Larry Lade above.

The bird pictured above looks more like the light-colored Prairie Merlins to me.

 

[Larry Lade]

I believe that the prairie race of Merlin would have plumage which was quite a bit lighter than the photographed bird here. Also, I believe that the streaking on the breast, belly and flanks would be a lighter shade of brown on the prairie race.

Hence, I still think the ID of this bird is Merlin, taiga race.

 

[Larry Lade]

jerkin, I believe that the Merlins in Europe are the same size as the ones we have here in the US. The measurements I came up with were: 24-33 cm (9.5-13 in.) long, 53-69 cm (21-27 in.) wingspan. They are all Falco columbarius, but there seem to be quite a few subspecies.

 

[jerkin]

Hi Larry your probably right but because the USA is such a large land-mass you may get more Arctic or near Arctic Merlins. Us in the UK being on the western fringes of Eurasia I would imagine get very few of these potentially larger sub species most of are birds will be from are own uplands.Maybe some of the ringers on the forum may have information on icelandic or scandinavian recovered birds.