Alex and tweeters,

To me, this is readily recognizable as an immature Gyrfalcon: dusky face,
weak moustachial mark, indistinct supercililary (eyebrow) pearly brown
plumage, apparent substantial bulk and bill size. A typical immature
Prairie Falcon would show a whitish cheek behind a well delineated
moustache, a fairly crisp white superciliary, slimmer profile, more petite
bill relative to head size, flank streaking likely a bit darker than dorsal
color, slimmer body shape. I don't see how any changes in lighting or
posture could give this falcon the attributes of a Prairie Falcon. Nice
bird. Could it be the immature Gyr' that was seen sporadically at the
Samish West 90 in late fall?

Good birding, Bob Sundstrom

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of A Mackenzie
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 7:48 AM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Raptor ID help please


Hi again,
I've had 3 people say it's an immature gyrfalcon, and 3 say it's a Prairie
Falcon (some have replied privately). Either would be a life bird for me,
just wish I knew which one it was. I'll try to see if the friend who
accompanied me got any photos.

In the meantime, I'd love more folks to take a look at those below!
Thank you kindly,
Alex

On Sun, 20 Feb 2011, A Mackenzie wrote:

>
> Hello,
>
> While birding the Skagit yesterday (2/19) I came across a raptor I
couldn't
> ID - I got two photos which are here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/mizmak/5461690419/
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/mizmak/5461690425/
>
> The bird was about 16-18 inches. It was in a turnoff on Moore Road just
east
> of where Best Rd meets Moore (near the bridge). There was a photographer
> there when we arrived who had much better equipment but I didn't get his
> name.
>
> Any help is much appreciated!
>
> Thank you kindly,
> Alex MacKenzie
> Seattle
>


--------------------------------------------------
Alexandra MacKenzie
Admissions and Curriculum
Biostatistics Department, University of Washington
Box 357232, Seattle WA 98195
Phone: (206) 616-6790
alexam at u.washington.edu
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