Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Anonymous on August 30, 2006, 05:00:15 PM

Title: RFI-Raptor Id
Post by: Anonymous on August 30, 2006, 05:00:15 PM

Hi, I was wondering if someone could have a quick look at this raptor and let me know what it is. It looks like a redtail to me, but very small, a juvenile maybe? There were 2 of them. I checked my bird book but am still not sure. There are several views to look at.
Thanks for the help in advance and very much appreciated:)
Art.
http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p33480892.html (http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p33480892.html)
http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p33479158.html (http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p33479158.html)

Title: Great Shots Art
Post by: BIGFRANK on August 30, 2006, 06:39:33 PM

Definetly a Merlin. A Redtail is full sized(more or less) at fledging,and always has a belly band. BIGFRANK

Title: raptor
Post by: Anonymous on August 30, 2006, 08:59:44 PM

Thanks very much for the reply, Frank. I really appreciate it:)

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on August 30, 2006, 09:26:30 PM

Excellent shot too... it's hard to get close to a merlin.

Title: An accipiter?
Post by: Al Johnston on August 31, 2006, 11:53:49 AM

Hi Art and Big Frank, my guess it's an accipiter, possibly an immature Coopers with it's rounded tail. It seems to lack the "mustache" of a merlin, Frank. A merlin is about the size of a rock pigeon, Art. What size would you say your raptor was? Just my $.02 worth. Great pics by the way, Art.  Al

Title: merlin
Post by: Anonymous on August 31, 2006, 05:49:16 PM

Thanks for the reply, Al. These werent very big, hard to say exactly. They seemed to be a little more than half the size of a redtail and very quick and darty when they flew. I hope this helps, and I am glad u like the shots:)

Title: Merlin
Post by: Iain on September 01, 2006, 08:52:41 PM

Immature Coopers hawks have bright yellow irises, something that would be evident in this picture.  Speaking of eyes, this bird has a very large eye in proportion to its head/beak indicative of a falcon.  Merlin for sure.

Iain Fleming

Title: merlin
Post by: Anonymous on September 01, 2006, 09:16:20 PM

Thanks for the reply and the input, Iain, much appreciated. Rookies like me need all the help we can get:)
Art.

Title: Merlin it is!
Post by: Al Johnston on September 02, 2006, 09:16:55 AM

Thanks Iain. The eyes have it. Should have known better than to question Big Frank. BTW, where did you get the pic, Art?
   Al

Title: merlin
Post by: Anonymous on September 02, 2006, 08:05:49 PM

I took this picture in Port Hope, Al. There is a spot down by the lake that has a lot of activity right now. I put directions in the birding area of this forum and what I have seen in the last couple of days. I will be spending quite a bit of time down there in the coming weeks:)