Kestrel? Juvenile?
Outdoor Ontario

Kestrel? Juvenile?

BetCrooks

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I hope someone can recognize this bird even though the photos are not sharp.
I'm guessing it's a kestrel, maybe a juvenile? but I'd prefer a more educated opinion.
It was quite a show watching a crow force the kestrel to take off, which would then chase and harass the crow, perch again, and repeat several times until the crow gave up.

for size vs the crow
[attachment=2:1vrjp5zm]RaptorandCrow.jpg[/attachment:1vrjp5zm]

wings for markings
[attachment=1:1vrjp5zm]raptorD.jpg[/attachment:1vrjp5zm]

I couldn't get a clear shot of its face from the angle I was at
[attachment=0:1vrjp5zm]raptorK.jpg[/attachment:1vrjp5zm]
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Rotarran

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That looks more like a Merlin to me.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Today is a good day to bird!


gary yankech

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this is  a Merlin
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Gary Yankech


BetCrooks

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Cool! Many thanks!
I was tricked by the relative size and the mustache. And the fact that I've seen Kestrels before but I've never seen a Merlin. I should have looked up the tails in flight instead of trying to figure it out from the face. Now that I've dug out my old Peterson's I can see better what I missed.
Thanks again.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »