Al Jaramillo asked IDing Peregrines -

(Not able to quote with this editor so will have to check back yourself to
start of thread)

Al - Having lived for 18 months on the Charlottes with Peale's Peregrines,
I can shed some light on Peale's for you.

1) They are big. Females are easily as big as a raven (although not as
"portly" due to denser plumage), especially the young ones with their
slightly longer feathers.
2) There is usually a noticeable dimorphism in plumage colouration with
females remaining more heavily marked than males. Males also much more of a
slate-blue on the dorsal surface compared to the gray-brown of the females.
3) Most consistent field mark for separating Peale's from other Peregrine
races is the streaked cheek as you described from the birds which you saw.
However, the heavily marked underwing coverts (barred in adults, streaked
in immatures, although this may take a couple of years to change with much
variation in the process) if seen are another good marker.

I would tend to favour your birds as being Peale's based on the "streaked
cheek". There may be few records for California but if there is any species
which has been able to conquer the planet successfully, then this is the
one so a visit from one up north is not unlikely.

Jack

Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca