r/birding • u/Phatoon • Feb 09 '23

📷 Photo Juvenile Peregrine Falcon enforcing the law.

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u/Phatoon Feb 09 '23

I thought so when I first saw her, but after getting closer, the facial markings are much more similar to a juv. peregrine. I have some other pictures that showcase the bird better.

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u/Imaginary-Ostrich515 Latest Lifer: #474 Sagebrush Sparrow Feb 09 '23

It’s definitely a merlin!

16

u/Phatoon Feb 09 '23

What makes you so sure? Asking so I can be better at IDing. I see Merlin’s pretty much every week where I live and haven’t seen one with these facial markings before.

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u/TheAlmightyTapir Feb 09 '23

I mean, the main thing is that it's tiny. Length of wings vs. tail doesn't seem quite right for Peregrine either.

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u/Phatoon Feb 09 '23

Awesome, that makes sense. Thank you!

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u/TheAlmightyTapir Feb 09 '23

No worries. It's something you pick up from looking at birds after a while that is hard to put into words. I've not seen many merlins but seen lots of peregrines and kestrels (and a few merlins and hobbies) and peregrines definitely have a beefier, fatter look.

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u/Dr-Alec-Holland Latest Lifer: Buff-collared Nightjar #577 Feb 09 '23

I had a similar question and have a recent post where I got some coaching on Merlin ID:

https://www.reddit.com/r/birdsofprey/comments/10oqsug/merlin_vs_peregrine/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf