Dean,
To answer some of the questions about the immature Peregrine I saw on
Spencer. First of all I could not read any of the data from the bands
on its legs. (Silver band on right leg and black band on left leg) The
bird was a dark brown with heavy streaking on the underside. Near the
legs the streaking was more chevron shaped. It seemed a small Peregrine
to me indicating a male but I am very bad at distinguishing sizes
especially with nothing to compare within its vicinity. It looked
similar to the illustration in the National Geo of the immature Pealei
with a hood not as full as other illustrations. It seemed a young bird;
not as experienced as older Peregrines. This is just my impressions
based on watching the bird land and handle itself. A flock of Starlings
were going to land on the same tree until they discovered the Falcon
there and they changed their mind. The Falcon looked up and all around
but couldn't decide whether he wanted to chase and so he sat for awhile
longer. He finally flew off heading East of Spencer Island. I would
have loved to read those bands but I would not have been able to
approach close enough. I didn't know to look at the terminal tail band
and I can't remember seeing any signs of molt. My recollection is of
smoothly shaped wings with no gaps.

Isn't Bud Anderson on the internet? I thought I had his email
address at one time but I can't find it. Does anyone have it and could
share?

Yvonne Bombardier
Everett, Wa
ravenn at premier1.net
________________________________________________________________________
> > I spent a couple of hours at Spencer Island tonight and birds
to
> note include:
> > ...
> > The Peregrine sat in the cottonwood tree at the East end of the cross
> > dike. When I saw it in the scope I could see that both legs were
> > banded. The bird's right leg held a silver band while the left leg had
> > a black band. Does anyone know the significance of the two bands?
>
> I believe that Bud Anderson and the Falcon Research Group always use
> a silver and a black band. One is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife band and
> the other is a Wash. State wildlife band, I think.
>
> Most likely, this was a bird born in the San Juan Islands, probably
> last year. It seems a little early for this-year's birds to be so
> far from their nest sites, but I could be wrong(?). Could you read
> either band? Could you tell if it was a male or female (based on the
> size)? Could you see a distinct, light-brown, terminal tail band?
> The band is pretty prominent on new fledglings, at least when perched
> in front of a dark background. The ends of the feathers usually wear
> off somewhat after a year's time. Any evidence of molting?
>
> So many questions!
>
> Dean dean at amc.com
>