This afternoon we had another opportunity to study to gyrfalcon that has remained since sometime in Dec. New details that we have seen: wing to tail proportion approximately 2 to 3, apparent molting from dark juvenile to gray morph progressing on wings and head, larger than nearby red-tailed hawks, flies lower than buteos, has clean light flight feathers with dark tips. The light spots on the back seem problematic but HAWKS IN FLIGHT by Pete Dunn et al. discusses the variation in plumage that can occur in gyrfalcons.
I hope others have the opportunity to see this magnificent falcon. We have been most successful finding it between 2:00 and 3:00 pm.
Norma Wendt
Deer Park WA