Which Falcon? Iran, Khorasan-e Razavi, Mar. 2025 (2 Viewers)

[Pedrambirder]

Hi all,
It jumped quickly and I couldn't see or take a shot from its upperwing.
I opened shadow in LR, as it was cloudy and no good light.

 

[tconzemi]

That is a difficult bird! I get Merlin vibes here but cannot conclusively tell you why

 

[Pedrambirder]

That is a difficult bird! I get Merlin vibes here but cannot conclusively tell you why

Thank you,
It might be a good suggestion as it disappeared quickly and we couldn't track it; the same way as Merlins do, flying low and close to the ground.

 

[lou salomon]

To me it's quite an obvious young male Merlin.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

To me it's quite an obvious young male Merlin.

Presumably 2cy male ssp., pallidus i.e Steppe Merlin.

Grahame

 

[Pedrambirder]

To me it's quite an obvious young male Merlin.

Thank you.

 

[Pedrambirder]

Presumably 2cy male ssp., pallidus i.e Steppe Merlin.

Grahame

Thank you.

 

[xuky.summer]

Just wondering—if it's a Merlin, why does the base of the inner primaries have such an irregular pattern? Could it be a Common Kestrel instead?