Tweeters,



A recent message made reference to a "brown phase" GYRFALCON. For the
record, there is no such animal. The birds sometimes referred to as "brown
phase" are actually immatures of the gray morph or gray phase. Their plumage
is much browner than that of adults, and they are usually heavily streaked
on the underparts-- both of these features making them pretty easy to tell
from adults.



There are three color morphs or "phases" of Gyrfalcons: white, gray, and
dark (blackish), as well as, undoubtedly, a few individuals that are
intermediate. In Washington and elsewhere along the Pacific coast, virtually
100% of the birds we see are gray-phase. There is no brown phase-they are
just the immatures of the gray phase.



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net