A large size Falcon was spotted today :
- size is about 30-40% larger than a Peregrine Falcon ( a male Peregrine was attacking this larger falcon & Thomas should have some photos of both birds dueling.)
- pale head with whitish supercilium,
- narrow moustachial stripe,
- pale throat & vent
- broad wing width
- narrow under tail stripes
The bird was gliding with fully stretch out wings for a long period of time.
Would it be a juvenile Saker Falcon ? Would need some help from the experts and comments are most welcomed, thanks in advance.
Cheers
PWMK Author: lpaul Time: 12/04/2010 08:25
I can't see why this is not just a juvenile calidus Peregrine. Certainly the size difference could easily be explained if this was calidus (especially if this was a female) and the male mobbing it was a local breeding bird. In addition, I think Saker typically shows contrastingly darker underwing coverts and primary tips which this bird lacks. Author: fatchun Time: 12/04/2010 16:20
In my opinion, and searched on the internet, it is not the saker falcon.
On the belly, we can see there are many streaks. It suggested that it might be a juvenile saker if it is.
Then the leg color tell us it is not saker because the juvenile saker has pale yellow or grey leg color.
So, it is probably the peregrine falcon for me.
In addition, as I am one of the watcher yesterday=] I remember it flew with a relatively flat posture/ shape.
But after I searched on the internet, I can see there are some differences between these two falcon.
Saker's tail will intend to push down when it is gliding and the wings of it has a small angle.
So, the overall shape of it is no as flatted as peregrine.
I hope my interpretation is right and I just tell what I have read on the internet=]
Welcome for correction and discussion, Thank You! Author: wleepoin Time: 12/04/2010 21:02
