wgeoff

Two small fast-flying falcons passed over Po Toi today. I believe they were both Amur Falcons - are they?




If so, can someone comment on whether the fully fanned tail and exposed alula in photo 1, and the bulging chest in photo 2, are diagnostic in separating Amur Falcon from Hobby?

I have never seen these features mentioned in Field Guides but they are features I regularly see on birds I assume to be Amur Falcon, and are much easier identification marks on birds flying overhead against a bright sky than the traditionally mentioned features such as paler underparts and underwing.

iherman

Same place

lpaul

All are juvenile Hobbies.  Note the broad moustachials, lack of stunningly white ear coverts, lack of pure white ground colour to the underparts, and rather uniform underwing (lacking a darker trailing edge and black and white barring).

http://orientalbirdimages.org/se ... _ID=&pagesize=1

I find Amurs strikingly monchrome with even at long distances shining white ear coverts.  They also are often a little more compact, sometimes even recalling Peregrine in proportions and stockiness.

The bulging chest in the photo appears to be due the bird having eaten recently, and the alula is apparent due to the posture of the bird in the photo.

countryboy

I think it is Hobby .

lchunfai

Interesting ! I also saw 3 unknown falcons in Siu Sai Wan today (19/10/10).
2 were flying due South at around 11am

1st falcon




2nd falcon




At around 4pm , one more falcon was seen ,and also flew South. And I took 2 record shots.

3rd falcon (looks like a Chinese Goshawk , haha )




A pair of peregrine can be seen every year ( residents ? )
BUt what are these 3 falcons are ? Hobby again ?
Sorry for the low resolution and thanks very much

[ Last edited by lchunfai at 20/10/2010 00:54 ]

wgeoff

Thanks Paul.

Back to the drawing board.

HFCheung

Dear Chunfai,

Your birds look like Hobby, with very long wing.  But the last two look like Kestrel, see the long tail.

HF Cheung

[ Last edited by HFCheung at 20/10/2010 19:50 ]

lchunfai

thank you Fai Gou ~ : )